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Regional epidemiologist: flu surge seen nationally and locally; Northborough vaccination rates lag
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Summary
Mikaela Petty, regional epidemiologist, told the Town of Northborough Board of Health on Jan. 13 that flu is the dominant respiratory illness this season with an early, high peak nationally; she reported roughly 80 December cases locally, municipal flu coverage near 40%, and urged vaccination and other prevention measures.
Mikaela Petty, regional epidemiologist with the Greater Burrows Partnership for Health, briefed the Town of Northborough Board of Health on Jan. 13 about national, state and local respiratory-illness trends and recommended vaccination and basic prevention steps.
Petty said influenza is currently the most prominent respiratory illness and described the season as having an unusually quick, early peak at the national level. She cautioned that while case counts may appear to fall, it is "a little early to say we're in the clear," because viruses can rebound later in the season.
Locally, Petty said municipal test-positivity data reported to the board indicate "close to 80 cases" in December (the figure reported is for the month, not a cumulative total). At the state level she said Massachusetts has seen four pediatric deaths and 62 adult deaths so far this season; when asked whether those individuals were vaccinated she said the "majority of them are unvaccinated," while noting exact vaccination rates for pediatric deaths were not posted because the numbers are small.
Petty reviewed municipal vaccination snapshots: flu coverage in Northborough is around 40% this season (compared with about 50% last year), COVID vaccination has dropped to roughly 11% of the population, and she cited an estimated 59% infant protection for RSV (maternal vaccination or immunoglobulin) and about 50% for adults 75 and older (the presentation mixed municipal and statewide data and Petty urged caution in interpreting small-sample figures).
Prevention and services: Petty said flu vaccines remain available through the Greater Burrows Partnership for Health and encouraged residents to get vaccinated, use hand hygiene, improve ventilation or use air purifiers, mask in crowded public places when transmission is high, and test if symptomatic. She reiterated guidance to stay home at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved and to seek medical care if symptoms worsen.
The briefing closed with the board thanking Petty. The health department will circulate the slides and vaccine‑availability information and set appointments for residents seeking immunization.
