Experts: Still time to get flu shot

In the past week, almost 200 Oklahomans were hospitalized for flu-related complications, according to the state Health Department data released Thursday.

Since the start of flu season in September, almost 40 residents have died, and 1,419 have been hospitalized because of the flu.

During this time last year, Oklahoma was in the midst of a mild flu season, with three deaths and 204 hospitalizations.

However, by this time in 2014, Oklahoma had seen 90 Oklahomans die from the flu, and about 2,000 residents hospitalized.

Kendra Dougherty, epidemiologist at the state Health Department, said the state is seeing a typical flu season this year.

“We’re peaking at the normal times, and it’s very possible that we are going to see several more weeks of really high flu activity and then hopefully we’ll see that decline,” Dougherty said.

Nationwide, flu activity is still rising and is expected to continue for several weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Public health officials are encouraging residents to consider getting a flu shot, as the season in Oklahoma can last until May.

Flu shots are generally available at county health departments and some pharmacies, health clinics and physician’s offices. Residents who cannot afford the flu shot can talk with their county health department about programs that provide the shot at minimal or no cost.

Dougherty said residents should still consider getting the flu shot because it’s common for Oklahoma to see an increase of cases of residents sickened by the influenza B strain in March and April.

Each year, a new flu vaccine is produced, in response to what public health officials expect to be the predominant strains for that season.

This means that the effectiveness of the shot varies each year.

This past week, the CDC reported the flu vaccine has been 48 percent effective in protecting against influenza A and influenza B infection.

“That seems like it’s a low number, but we’ve never said it was 100 percent effective at preventing the flu,” Dougherty said. “It’s not that kind of the vaccine. It’s a vaccine that, when you take it, provides you from protection from severe complications of the flu and reduces the duration of your illness.”