Introduction to the Flu Season
By Tim Henderson, Stateline.org
Americans are facing the highest death toll from influenza since 2018, just as more people become vulnerable because of growing vaccine skepticism taking hold in statehouses and the Trump administration.
The Rising Death Toll
Flu-related deaths hit a seven-year high in January and February, the two months that usually account for the height of flu season, according to a Stateline analysis of preliminary federal statistics. There were about 9,800 deaths across the country, up from 5,000 in the same period last year and the most since 2018, when there were about 10,800.
Impact of Vaccine Skepticism
Despite that, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has canceled or postponed meetings to prepare for next fall’s flu vaccine, when experts talk about what influenza strains they expect they’ll be battling. The cancellations raised protests from medical professionals and state and federal officials. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat, said in a statement that her state is having its worst flu season in at least 15 years, with more deaths from flu and other causes as the state’s health care system struggles under the strain of flu patients.
Expert Opinions
Some experts say putting off vaccine planning will only feed false narratives that discourage lifesaving vaccinations. “These delays not only weaken pandemic preparedness but also undermine public confidence in vaccination efforts,” said Dr. Akram Khan, an Oregon pulmonologist and associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University who has studied attitudes toward vaccines.
The Role of Misinformation
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has expressed doubt about the need for vaccines, including flu vaccines, despite evidence that they reduce deaths and hospitalizations. Deaths fluctuate naturally from year to year depending on the severity of current flu strains and the effectiveness of that year’s vaccines. But some see a hesitancy to use any vaccine, fed by misinformation and political mistrust of government, already taking a toll on lives.
Regional Variations
The flu was a factor in 9,800 deaths in January and February, according to the analysis, using provisional data collected by states and compiled by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The highest death rates were in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Kentucky, all at about four deaths per 100,000 population so far this year. Some counties in Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, as well as Oklahoma and Kentucky, were even higher — at about six deaths per 100,000.
Demographic Impact
The highest rates have been among older people. Statistics show the deaths hit white people and American Indians especially hard. Tragedies are happening across the country to people of all ages and races, however. A 43-year-old Indiana father died after a brief bout of the flu, according to family members. After two 10-year-olds died in Prince George’s County, Maryland, area schools drew crowds to vaccine clinics.
Community Responses
Doug Sides, a pastor at Yulee Baptist Church in northern Florida, has held funerals for three congregation members who died from flu — all within one month, all of them over 70 years old. That compares with only one victim of COVID-19 from his congregation during the pandemic, he said. “Flu death is a reality,” Sides told Stateline on a phone call from a Jacksonville hospital, where he was visiting another 84-year-old congregation member who was rescued from her home with severe pneumonia from an unknown cause.
Public Health Initiatives
Many states are relaxing vaccine requirements as public skepticism rises. But many are taking action to warn residents and reassure them that vaccinations are safe and can help prevent deaths, despite misinformation to the contrary. Burlington County, New Jersey, has had the highest flu-associated death rate of any county this year, according to the analysis, with 31 deaths among fewer than 500,000 people. The county held 30 free vaccine clinics from September to January, then extended them into February because of the severity of the flu season, said Dave Levinsky, a spokesperson for the county health department.
Vaccine Hesitancy
People have become less likely to get vaccinated in recent years, a phenomenon researchers call “vaccine hesitancy.” A report published last year in the medical journal Cureus found three-quarters of patients in a rural New York state community refused flu vaccine with comments such as “I do not trust vaccines” or “I do not believe in vaccines.” The most common reasons cited were that earlier vaccinations made them feel sick, that they got the flu anyway, or that they thought they shouldn’t need a new shot every year.
Conclusion
The rise in flu deaths and the spread of misinformation about vaccines are significant public health concerns. It is crucial for individuals to make informed decisions about their health, based on scientific evidence and recommendations from trusted healthcare professionals. By understanding the risks of flu and the benefits of vaccination, we can work towards reducing the number of flu-related deaths and promoting a healthier community.
FAQs
Q: What is the current flu death toll in the United States?
A: According to preliminary federal statistics, there were about 9,800 flu-related deaths in January and February, the highest in seven years.
Q: Why are some people hesitant to get vaccinated?
A: Vaccine hesitancy is often driven by misinformation, political mistrust, and personal beliefs, despite evidence that vaccines reduce deaths and hospitalizations.
Q: Which states have the highest flu vaccination rates?
A: As of December, the states with the highest flu vaccination rates were Maine, Connecticut, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Q: What can individuals do to protect themselves from the flu?
A: Getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, and staying home when feeling sick are effective ways to reduce the risk of getting and spreading the flu.
Q: Where can I get a flu vaccine?
A: Flu vaccines are available at many healthcare providers, pharmacies, and community health centers, often for free or at a low cost.
