City health officials said today that a surge in reported flu cases in Boston, particularly among kids and teens, is happening earlier than in past years. They are urging residents to get vaccinated if they are’t already and to consider other steps, such as wearing masks for those at higher risks of severe illness.
“Flu cases are on the rise in Boston, and we are urging residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from respiratory illnesses which can cause hospitalization and severe illness,” said Bisola Ojikutu, MD, MPH, FIDSA, Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Boston (pictured above). “Flu spreads easily during this time of the year when we gather together indoors. It is not too late to get vaccinated. Vaccination is the best tool we have to prevent serious illness. The Boston Public Health Commission will be hosting additional vaccination clinics throughout the city in January.”
City public health experts say everyone age 6 months or older should get an annual flu vaccine. Only 30 percent of Boston residents were reportedly vaccinated through Dec. 6, according to statistics kept by the Boston Public Health Commission.
According to the BPHC, flu related emergency department visits are up by 44 percent in recent weeks, with the rate of infection surging by 217 percent among ages 5–17.
Typically, this sort of spike isn’t seen until January, they said.
You can find more information about available vaccines in your area at www.vaccinefinder.org or at boston.gov/vaccine-clinics, or by calling the Mayor’s Health Line at 617-534-5050.
