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Flu caseHere is an overview of influenza cases reported in the counties of the region since the beginning of the season *. At the state level, 62,501 cases had been reported as of 9 March.Allegheny – 4,875Armstrong – 317Beaver – 1,266Butler – 858Fayette – 917Washington – 1 066Westmoreland – 1,779 * = from September 30, 2018 to March 9, 2019Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health
Do not be fooled by the weather or the milder weather: the flu season is far from over.
According to a study from the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine, the flu season, which can last until May, peaks in the middle of the winter. To date this influenza season, more than 62,500 influenza cases have been reported across Pennsylvania with more than 75 flu-related deaths, according to the state's Department of Health.
According to Pitt's study, as the influenza season progresses, the protection offered by the influenza vaccine decreases.
So, what is the best time to get the flu shot?
The study, focused on when older people should be vaccinated, concluded that, while older people waited for the beginning of the influenza season in October to be vaccinated, "tens of thousands of cases of 39, influenza and hundreds of deaths could probably be avoided.
According to the state health department, people aged 50 and older accounted for the majority of influenza-related deaths this flu season.
Allegheny County is responsible for six of the deaths due to the flu so far this season, up from 25 last year. Westmoreland County does not follow flu-related deaths, according to coroner Kenneth Bacha.
This year, nearly 1,780 cases of influenza have been reported in Westmoreland County, compared with 4,875 in Allegheny County, according to figures from the state's Department of Health.
But it is not always easy to get vaccinated.
The flu season peaks every four seasons or so, meaning that if the elderly waited to be vaccinated, "tens to hundreds of adults would die" because they do not have enough flu. have not been vaccinated in time, said the study.
Waiting for the start of the influenza season to get vaccinated has saved nearly 260 lives and averted nearly 22,060 cases of influenza, compared to a vaccine received in August, showed Pitt's previous studies.
"The public health community is questioning whether influenza vaccination should take place as soon as the vaccine is available in August or it's better to wait until later in the fall." Kenneth Smith, professor of medicine and clinical and transnational sciences in Pitt, said in a statement. "What we've found is that it's a balancing act, but if a clinician thinks that the patient will come back for a flu shot in the fall, our analysis shows that it's better to advise this patient to wait.
Working with a doctor to find the best time to get the flu shot will help stop the spread of the flu, according to the study.
"In all scenarios, being vaccinated is the best way to avoid the flu," Smith said. "If the choice is between receiving the flu shot early or not getting it at all, it's much better to get it early."
Megan Tomasic is a staff writer for Tribune-Review. You can contact Megan at 724-850-1203, [email protected] or via Twitter .
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