CDC: Fewer adults were vaccinated against influenza last season

STATEN ISLAND, NY – According to the latest estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of adults vaccinated against influenza during last year's severe influenza season has decreased relative to last year.

According to CDC estimates, only 37% of Americans aged 18 years and older received the influenza vaccine during the 2017-2018 influenza season, down 6% from the 2016-17 season.

During the 2017-2018 influenza season, approximately 48.8 million people were infected with the flu, of whom 22.7 million were going to a health care provider, 959,000 were hospitalized and 79,400 people died as a result of the outbreak. disease. The CDC said that last year's season was higher than any other season since the 2009 pandemic and that it "recalls how much seasonal flu can be serious."

The CDC also said the flu season was atypical as severe for all ages of the population.

"As the 2018-19 season is underway, it is important for providers to prioritize influenza immunization for their patients," the CDC said in its report. "This includes reminders to clients when flu vaccine supplies are available, an assessment of the status of vaccination at each visit, an effective recommendation for vaccination and the provision of the vaccine."

Influenza activity during the 2017-2018 period began to increase in the United States in November 2017 and remained high for several weeks in January and February 2018. While influenza A viruses ( H3N2) predominated until February and were predominant throughout the season, influenza B viruses were more often reported from March.

"The season has been very intense with unusually high rates of ambulatory-like illnesses, hospitalization rates and proportions of pneumonia and flu-related deaths," said the CDC in a report on the flu season of last year.

Immunization coverage among adults remains low, with only about four in ten adults reporting having been shot, according to the results of the last eight influenza seasons.

Here's why you should be vaccinated soon against the flu

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