Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/drhowardsmithreports/reel/DGV34OuOFyT/We are in a historically severe influenza season with cases driving an outpatient visit rate that is a 15 year high.  During this 2024-2025 season so far,  CDC has clocked more than 24 million cases, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths.  A record breaking 57 children have already died.The reasons?  General flu immunity diminished due to fewer cases during the CoVid pandemic.  That is unpreventable.  But what is preventable is the abysmally low flu vaccination rate.  Only 45% of Americans of ALL ages have received this years influenza vaccine.While protection by the vaccine is not perfect and this years data is incomplete, vaccination will reduce your chance of developing severe disease by about 53%.  The vaccine is available and at no cost with most health insurance.  Seniors should get the double strength version.https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2025-week-05.htmlhttps://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/index.htmlhttps:/