Massachusetts flu season already worst in more than a decade

Massachusetts already has the highest flu rate at any time in over a decade and the season is just getting started.

data More than 7% of outpatient visits last week had flu-like symptoms, according to a survey released Friday by the state public health department. Because relatively few people get tested for the flu, states use it as an indicator of flu epidemics.

“I don’t think we’ve seen this kind of activity since the swine flu. 2009 H1N1 Pandemicsaid Larry Madoff, M.D., medical director of DPH’s Office of Infectious Diseases and Laboratory Sciences. I haven’t seen anything like this since. “

The number of flu cases is now growing much faster than the number of COVID-19 cases, said Dr. Daniel Critskes, director of the infectious disease division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

“Usually we see flu epidemics in January and February, but we saw a sharp rise in December, which is comparable to the rise we have seen in the last few years in the second half of winter,” Kuritzkes said. said Mr. “But it just happened a long time ago.”

Essentially, it’s not clear whether it will spike early and fall early or continue to rise.

“You never know what’s going to happen next,” Madoff said.

DPH also reported that 3.6% of hospitalizations statewide last week were flu-related. The 2019-2020 season saw higher percentages, but not until February.

“Fortunately, people tend not to get the flu as much as COVID-19,” Critskes said.

“So I don’t think there are dozens of people on ventilators or in intensive care units,” he said. “But everyone who has the flu has to be in a private room or share a room with someone else who has the flu. That obviously affects capacity and how people are treated. ”

These capacity issues could ultimately affect the hospital’s ability to accept new patients and perform elective procedures, he said.

“If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, I highly recommend going out and getting one,” added Critskes.

The state reports that 39% of Massachusetts residents have been vaccinated against the flu so far this year. Madoff said that at this point in the season, it’s on par with previous years. said Sari Sanchez, Ph.D., the association’s medical director for infectious diseases.

“We urge our community to get the flu vaccine every year and to stay home if they feel unwell,” Sanchez said. I’m trying to address this with.”

The city has set up free carry-on flu vaccination clinics around Boston.List of Boston Sites Available here You can find a state list of vaccination locations here.

Weekly state reports show striking disparities in flu vaccinations by age, race, and ethnicity.

Twenty-eight percent of Massachusetts residents between the ages of 18 and 49 have been vaccinated against the flu, while nearly 70% of people over the age of 65 have been vaccinated against the flu.

While 40% of the state’s whites are vaccinated against influenza, 28% of black residents and only 23% of Hispanic residents are vaccinated.

“Historically, we know that disparities have existed in communities of color, especially black and Latino communities, because vaccination coverage is often low,” Sanchez said. “It is also historically common to see high rates of influenza in these communities.”

More than half of the flu cases in Boston are in black and Latinx people, disproportionately hitting residents of Dorchester, Roxbury and Hyde Park.

“We are also aware that there may be a lot of fatigue out there. You know, there have been a lot of vaccines coming out in the last two years,” Sanchez said. , we all need to keep ourselves safe and healthy by staying up to date on all of them.”

A bit of good news is that this year’s version of the flu vaccine is considered an effective vaccine, even at average doses.

“The strains in the flu vaccine match those that are circulating,” Madoff said. “And that’s not always true.”

There are treatments available for people who get the flu, especially those with compromised immune systems, those over 65 or very young, he said.

“[They] You should talk to your health care provider about treating flu,” Madoff said. So if you think you have the flu, it’s important to pick up the phone and call your provider. “

As we enter the holiday season, experts say it’s especially important to take precautions.

“The usual precautions of covering your cough, good hand hygiene and wearing a mask can help,” Madoff said. I would be happy if I could put a lid on the trend.”