Iowa had 103 influenza-associated deaths, including two children, in the last flu season according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people to get an annual influenza vaccine. Washington County Public Health Director Danielle Pettit-Majewski shares what people can do to help prevent the spread of illness, “Good hand hygiene, all of that. Staying home when you’re sick. And again, I’m also going to stress too right now because we’re in that time is getting a flu shot, because, overall that’s going to reduce disease burden in our county. Hopefully stress our healthcare system less. And maybe keep the rate of absenteeism down in our schools so kids can continue to learn in person.”

The CDC recommends a flu shot each year for everyone over six months of age. According to the CDC, a 2018 study showed that an adult who was hospitalized with flu but had a seasonal vaccine was 59% less likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit than those who had not been vaccinated. Contact your healthcare provider, public health, or a local pharmacy to set up a time to get your annual flu vaccine.