GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is urging people to get their flu vaccine ahead of holiday celebrations.
DHS says getting your flu vaccine at least two weeks before a gathering gives your body time to build the immunity it needs to fight infection.
"Back in March of 2020 when these mandates started taking place, influenza activity dropped off the table, and that’s not only in Wisconsin, that is nationwide," said DHS Influenza Surveillance Coordinator Tom Haupt. "People say, well, you just weren't testing for influenza flu, but we were doing more testing for the flue at that particular time, so there is obvious evidence that the masking and social distancing played a lot with the reduced numbers of influenza this past season."
DHS says the flu vaccine is safe and effective, and recommended for people ages six months and older. The flu vaccination is important for people younger than 5-years-old, older than 65-years-old, pregnant, or have a chronic health condition.
"We are definitely seeing an increase of influenza activity statewide," Haupt said. "That corresponds to what we’re seeing nationwide as well. There is unfortunately a lot of states that have had major outbreaks of influenza already mainly in the university and colleges, so that tells us that there will definitely be some kind of influenza season this year compared to last year."
Haupt said health officials are seeing the influenza AH3 Virus.
"Historically the H3 virus can be more severe in people and cause more illnesses, but that’s why we need people to get vaccinated against the flu especially with the co-circulation with the COVID-19 virus as well," he said.
