The lifting of the COVID-19 pandemic’s state mask requirements has prompted many Oregonians to remove them, giving health officials an opportunity to remind people about the importance of influenza vaccinations.
Oregon is seeing a late-season rise in flu cases – flu season generally peaks around late January or February – making the virus easier to spread, according to Oregon Health Authority communicable disease experts.
“The 2020-2021 flu season was virtually non-existent as public health restrictions, such as stay-home orders, mask requirements, and limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings, kept flu cases down at record-low levels,” said Paul Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at the OHA’s Public Health Division. “Now we’re seeing more cases at a time when the season is usually coming to a close.”
During the week of March 6 to March 12, Oregon reported that 3.1% of influenza tests were positive, compared with 2.5% the week of Feb. 27 to March 5, 1.6% the week of Feb. 20 to Feb. 26, and .6% the week of Feb. 6 to Feb. 12. During the same week of the 2020-2021 season, a scant .1% of flu tests were positive. The vast majority of flu cases have been influenza A.
Cieslak emphasized that it wasn’t too late for flu vaccines, adding that getting them now, as indoor and outdoor gatherings increase, can help reverse the surge. Vaccinations can also reduce the severity of flu illness in an infection.
Anyone ages 6 months and older should get the vaccine, particularly young children, older adults and those with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease or metabolic diseases such as diabetes. In addition, pregnant women should get vaccinated to avoid serious complications during pregnancy and to transmit flu antibodies to an unborn child.
The flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, however, which means that both vaccines are important. Both are available from health care providers, local health departments and many pharmacies.
The flu vaccine is free or low-cost with most health insurance plans. To find such a clinic, visit http://www.flu.oregon.gov and use OHA’s flu vaccine locator tool.
For more information, visit OHA’s flu prevention page at https://bit.ly/36ztdxI or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s FluView page at https://bit.ly/3ilcFfE for updates on influenza activity around the country.
FLU PREVENTION
— Staying home from work or school during illness and limiting contact with others.
— Covering nose and mouths with tissue during a cough or sneeze.
— Washing hands frequently with soap and water; use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available.
— Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
— Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may have flu germs on them.
— Avoiding getting coughed and sneezed on.