"Flu vaccinations both in Boston and across Massachusetts are slightly lagging behind last year's vaccination rates, city and state data shows, as an early surge of flu cases sends thousands to the hospital and has led to dozens of deaths statewide. As of Jan. 8, at least four children and 62 adults have died from influenza this flu season, according to state data."
"So far this flu season, 32 percent of Boston residents have been vaccinated against the disease, a spokesperson for the Boston Public Health Commission said, which is lagging slightly behind from 34 percent last year and 36 percent the year before. Nearly all of the flu cases are from a flu variant known as subclade K, according to Daniel Kuritzkes, the chief of the division of infectious diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital."
An early surge in influenza has sent thousands to hospitals across Massachusetts and resulted in at least four pediatric and 62 adult deaths as of Jan. 8. Boston reported a 114 percent early spike in cases, typically seen in late January. Vaccination coverage is about 32 percent in Boston and about 34.8 percent statewide, down from roughly 38–39 percent in the prior two seasons. Most cases are caused by subclade K, which mismatches this season's vaccine, but vaccination can still reduce severe illness. Health officials advise flu vaccination for everyone six months and older, with higher uptake among older adults.
Read at www.boston.com
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