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Flu cases are up — and it’s not too late to get the shot even if you’ve had the virus
Doctors say it's not too get the flu shot this season, especially as cases continue to rise.
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Flu cases are up — and it’s not too late to get the shot even if you’ve had the virus
At least two children have died from the flu in the state this season, officials said.
California health officials are urging residents to get the flu vaccine as cases of the virus surge throughout the state. At least two children have died this season due to flu-related illnesses, the state Department of Health said this week.
The most recent data from Los Angeles County show that 180 people were hospitalized during the week ending Jan. 3.
“ At this point, we're only midway through the season and we've already seen so many hospitalizations and so many adverse outcomes,” said Dr. Rabia Cheema, associate medical director at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital.
Cheema said the majority of patients who get sicker from the flu are unvaccinated. “These are healthy children,” she said.
Not too late to get the shot
Cheema and other health experts are urging the public to get vaccinated — and emphasize it’s not too late in the season to get a flu shot, even if someone has already gotten the flu. That’s because the shot covers different strains, Flu A and Flu B, and Flu B spikes later on in the season, she said.
Officials also suggest residents with flu-like symptoms use at-home tests for flu, and start antivirals as soon as possible to prevent hospitalization.
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Where to get the flu shot
You can contact your local health provider or pharmacy, like CVS or Walgreens, to schedule a vaccine.
The LA County Public Library is also offering free flu/COVID-19 shots at various locations.
- Fri, Jan 16, 1 to 3 p.m., Lennox Library
- Fri, Jan 23, 1 to 3 p.m., Culver City Julian Dixon Library - Meeting Room
- Wed, Jan 28, 1 to 3 p.m., Live Oak Library - Meeting Room
- Fri, Jan 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., West Hollywood Library - Meeting Room
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 288 child flu deaths last year. Across the country this season, people over 65 years old had the highest rate of hospitalization, followed by children under 5 years old.
“We don't have the data through the rest of the season, but we already know what we have and that is concerning,” Cheema said.
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