Vancouver, Wash. – The flu positivity rate in Clark County has risen to 21 percent, well above the 10 percent threshold Public Health uses to mark high flu activity, according to Public Health’s Influenza Surveillance Update for the week Dec. 3. The positivity rate is based on data from local laboratories that test for flu.  

“Flu season is ramping up but it’s not too late to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health Officer. “By getting vaccinated now, you’ll be more likely to celebrate the New Year in good health. It can take up to two weeks for the vaccine to be effective, so we urge people to get vaccinated right away so they’ll be less likely to catch the flu or spread it to friends and family over the holidays.”

For millions every season, flu can mean a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, fatigue and miserable days in bed. Worse still, 200,000 people are hospitalized and 3,000-49,000 people die of flu complications each year in the U.S.

Fortunately, the flu vaccine can reduce flu illnesses, doctor visits and missed work and prevent flu-related ospitalizations and deaths. Everyone six months and older should get vaccinated. While flu vaccine effectiveness can vary year to year, vaccination is the best way to prevent flu illness and serious flu complications, even in years of reduced vaccine effectiveness.

“We can’t predict which flu strains will predominate this season, but flu vaccine is still likely to provide widespread protection against severe illness,” said Melnick. “Getting vaccinated is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your family from flu.”

To get vaccinated, call your health care provider or pharmacy. If you don’t have health insurance, call Sea Mar Community Health Centers at 360.852.9070 or the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington at 360.313.1390 to make an appointment for a low-cost flu shot.

In addition to flu shots, you can reduce your chances of catching or spreading disease by covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often, and staying home when sick. For more information about flu, see www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm.

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CONTACT
Dr. Alan Melnick
Health Officer/Public Health director
Public Health
360.397.8412
alan.melnick@clark.wa.gov