The Centers for Disease Control said today that cases of the flu continue to increase. New cases are up 8% from last week, and the death of one child has been reported. Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook has more.
JON LAPOOK: After the bustle of Thanksgiving travel, flu infections are surging across the country. Hot spots include Louisiana, Colorado, New Jersey, and New York, where a spike in cases means more visits to emergency rooms and doctor’s offices.
“We’re seeing a huge uptick in the number of cases of influenza.”
JON LAPOOK: Dr. Ayala Wegman, a pediatrician at NYU Langone Health, tries to dispel the skepticism and myths over the flu vaccine.
What are you hearing from parents who say, you know what? I think I won’t give the vaccine to my kid.
“I’m hearing that their hesitancy really is based on the fact that they don’t think that the flu is going to be that severe for them or that they think that the flu vaccine itself will cause significant side effects. Not only is it safe but it’s really effective for prevention against severe illness and death.”
JON LAPOOK: So far this season, only about 40% of Americans have been vaccinated against influenza. Last year, there were 280 pediatric flu deaths, and 90% were unvaccinated.
“We’re hearing that this year, there’s a mismatch between the flu vaccine and the bugs that are out there. What do you say to that?”
“So while there might be some degree of mismatch, it actually does not alter the vaccine’s efficacy and prevention of hospitalization or death. Don’t be afraid of getting the flu vaccine.”
“OK, Doctor, here it is, mid-December. For those of us who shall go nameless who haven’t got the shot yet, is it too late?”
“It’s not too late. Maurice, remember that flu season can extend to May, even longer. And if you get a flu shot today, protection usually starts to occur within only a few days. Tends to fully kick in by two weeks. And here’s something a lot of people don’t realize. If you do have the flu, there’s medication that can decrease the severity of illness. And if you’re somebody who was exposed to somebody who has the flu but you yourself are not yet sick, that same medication can lower the odds of you coming down with flu, especially if you take it within 48 hours. The sooner, the better. So something to talk about with your clinician.”
“Any other advice, Doctor, if you’ve got the flu?”
“Yeah, you know what? If you’re sick, stay home. There tends to be this idea a lot. I’m going to tough it out. I’m going to be a hero. I’m going to come to work. Stay home. Don’t make other people ill.”
“No medals for valor here.”
“No.”
“Doctor, thank you so much.”