City health officials report increased influenza activity and urge vaccination, especially for children

City health participants reported significant influenza activity and urged residents to get seasonal flu shots, particularly for children.

"Influenza is the number 1 infectious disease right now," Speaker 2, a board member and meeting moderator, told the board and public, adding, "I have influenza as right now." The board emphasized that flu vaccine can reduce severity and encouraged vaccinating children "starting at age 6 months." (Speaker 2)

Why it matters: Board members said influenza is driving current illness in the community and expressed concern about lower influenza vaccine uptake this season despite widespread availability.

Details and discussion

Speaker 2 described recent illness and vaccine supply: "This year, there was a real decrease in the numbers of flu vaccine that we administered on a city bridal level, and it's not for lack of availability. All doctors offices have them, pharmacies have them, but there's a lot of vaccines these days between RSV and pneumo and Prevnar and shingles and COVID boosters and influenza." (Speaker 2)

Community members and board participants raised vaccine hesitancy, particularly after COVID. "People they don't trust much vaccination after COVID. A lot of the hispanic population they're afraid of them," said Speaker 4, a community member. Board members said public education and community outreach should stress vaccine safety and convenience.

Outcome and next steps

No fo…