Reported flu cases now lower than national average
COVID continues to surge in Michigan, but the state is lagging behind the national numbers in influenza cases.
A total of 1,128 patient visits due to influenza-like illness was reported out of 75,460 office visits in Michigan for the week ended Dec. 11. That is a 1.5% ILI activity rate for the state which is down from 1.6% a week ago.
It is up from 0.6% one year ago according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services which releases the numbers weekly during flu season. Flu cases were abnormally low last season because of precautions taken for COVID such as mask wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene.
Comparatively, the number nationally is 2.7% of outpatient visits that were due to ILI. That is up slightly from 2.5% the previous week.
ILI is defined as a fever (higher than 100 degrees) and a cough and/or a sore throat without a known cause other than influenza.
Nationally, seasonal influenza activity is increasing, with the eastern and central parts of the country seeing the largest increases. Indicators also show hospitalizations and percentage of outpatient visits due to respiratory illness have been increasing.
Michiganders are reminded to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible to protect themselves and their communities from flu especially while continuing to battle COVID-19. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same time, according to the MDHHS.
Michigan’s goal is to vaccinate 4 million residents against the flu. As of Dec. 11, 2,689,465 doses have been administered (68.9% towards goal) for the 20212022 flu season. Last flu season, approximately 3.5 million people in Michigan received a flu vaccine as reported to the Michigan Care Improvement Registry.
Children are considered to be especially vulnerable to developing complications from influenza that may result in hospitalization or death according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Everyone 6 months and older is recommended for an annual influenza vaccination. Find where to get a flu vaccine at www.vaccinefinder.org.
A CDC study shows that overall, influenza vaccine administration increased 9.0% in 2020 when compared to the average influenza administration in 2018 and 2019. However, when examining data by age, children aged 6 through 23 months old saw a 13.9% decrease. Similarly, children aged 2 through 4 years old saw a 11.9% decline in influenza vaccination rate.
During the holidays officials at the CDC are particularly concerned about the impact reduced immunity could have on people who are already at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, including those with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, heart disease and diabetes. Getting the flu vaccine reduces the risk of serious flu complications.
Flu shots will not prevent COVID-19 but will help reduce the risk of flurelated illness including hospitalization and death, according to the Oakland County Health Division.
Getting a flu vaccine will not only reduce your risk from flu, but also lessen the burden on the healthcare system this winter.
The flu vaccine is available at Oakland County Health Division’s indoor COVID vaccine community clinics. Individuals who schedule their COVID-19 vaccine appointment at an indoor clinic will be asked to indicate whether they would like to receive the flu vaccine. Residents may also request it at the time they show up to get their COVID-19 vaccine at an Oakland County indoor clinic. The flu vaccine is also available at many local pharmacies and doctor’s offices.