There were 10 flu-related deaths during last year’s flu season in Contra Costa County, but there were only four deaths from the flu in the county the year before.
A new CDC report shows deaths from the flu were up across the United States. The 2017-2018 flu season in the U.S. was a deadly one. That is according to a new report from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.
The same report shows fewer people got flu shots last year.
“There is absolutely a direct connection,” Contra Costa County Health Services Department Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano said.
Dr. Farnitano says the number of flu-related deaths last year is alarming.
“Eighty-thousand deaths from the flu in this country,” Dr. Farnitano said. “That is more than motor vehicle accidents. That’s more than the number of deaths of soldiers in Vietnam.”
Fifty-six-thousand flu-related deaths were the previous high number dating back 30 years.
Dr. Farnitano says last year’s H3N2 flu virus was a problem even for people who were vaccinated.
“It wasn’t a perfect match for the vaccine that was going around last year because there were reports for the vaccine not being as effective, but it was still better than not getting the vaccine at all,” Dr. Farnitano said.
We are just about two months into this year’s flu vaccination season.
So, is the trend of not getting vaccinated continuing?
“Another important thing to know is the flu vaccine is free,” Dr. Farnitano said. “Medicare covers it. Medical covers it. Most private insurance because of the Affordable Care Act provides vaccines with no charge to the patient. It is a free vaccine. It won’t give you the flu, and it will keep you from getting sick.”