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Local health officials say this year’s flu season will be unpredictable and they’re urging residents to get vaccinated.
There were very few flu cases last year. Melissa McMasters, administrator of the Marion County Public Health Department’s immunization and infectious disease program, said that was largely due to the COVID-19 mitigation measures most Hoosiers were following such as staying home and wearing masks.
“This year those efforts have kind of relaxed since we have the COVID vaccine, so it becomes more important than ever to make sure you get the flu vaccine,” McMasters said.
McMasters said influenza should be taken seriously.
“It is a significant illness. It does cause disease, it does cause death, especially for anyone at high risk,” McMasters said.
State health officials confirmed the first flu-related death of the 2021-22 flu season on Friday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone age 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year.
The Marion County Public Health Department offers flu shots at clinics all season long through its district offices. More information can be found at marionhealth.org/immunize
Contact WFYI Morning Edition newscaster and reporter Taylor Bennett at tbennett@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @TaylorB2213.
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