By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office
Dec. 8, 2021 | 11:53 AM
Given that influenza cases typically rise over the holidays and the winter months, County health officials are encouraging San Diegans to get vaccinated now.
“Indoor holiday celebrations and other gatherings make it easier for influenza to spread,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “The vaccine is the best defense we have against influenza. Get vaccinated now to prevent getting sick and making others ill.”
Dec. 5 through 11 is National Influenza Vaccination Week, a reminder for San Diegans 6 months and older that it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine.
The County Health and Human Services Agency publishes the Influenza Watch weekly report, which tracks key flu indicators and summarizes influenza surveillance in the region.
For the week ending Dec. 4, 2021, the report shows the following:
Emergency department visits for influenza-like illness: 4% of all visits (compared with 3% the previous week)
Lab-confirmed influenza cases for the week: 123 (compared to 64 the previous week)
Total lab-confirmed cases to date: 535 (compared to 33 last season and 505 prior 5-year average at the same time)
Total influenza deaths to date: 0 (compared to 0 at this time last season)
How to Prevent the Flu
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot every year. It takes about two weeks for immunity to develop. The CDC also indicates you can get a flu and COVID-19 vaccination at the same time, including a booster dose. The coronavirus vaccine does not work against influenza and vice versa.
The flu vaccine is especially important for people at higher risk of having serious complications from the virus.
They include:
People with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, and lung disease, even if symptoms are under control
Pregnant women
People aged 65 years and older
People who live with or care for others who are at higher risk
The influenza vaccine is now available at doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies and is covered by medical insurance. People with no health care coverage can get vaccinated at one of the County’s six public health centers or a local community clinic. To find the nearest location, visit the County’s Flu Vaccine Locations page or call 2-1-1 San Diego.
In addition to getting vaccinated, people should also do the following to avoid getting sick:
Wash hands thoroughly and often
Use hand sanitizers
Stay away from sick people
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Clean commonly touched surfaces
If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with others
In 2020, a total of 848 influenza cases were reported in San Diego, including two deaths. In 2019, a total of 108 San Diegans died from influenza and more than 20,700 flu cases were reported.
José A. Álvarez is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office.
