Roni Elder with Vigo County Health Department said in 2019, 469 vaccines were given out, an increase from 2018.
“So far, you know we are like seeing more and more flu cases especially in the hospital,” said Medical Physician Farman Khan with Union Health. “Patients [are] getting hospitalized.”
Along with Dr.Khan, the CDC has stated the 2019-2020 flu season is one of the worst in regards to reported illnesses and death.
The CDC offers a weekly Influenza Surveillance Report prepared by the Influenza Division.
Union Health and the Vigo County School Corporation both have protocols in place to keep infection numbers to a minimum.
Union Health was one of several area hospitals to put restrictions on visitors last week to maintain health among both staff and patients within their facilities.
The CDC offers a weekly Influenza Surveillance Report prepared by the Influenza Division.
VSCS has asked their teachers and janitorial staff to encourage students to wash their hands and to cough properly throughout the season in efforts to prevent the flu from spreading.
“Propper handwashing techniques, we really emphasizing handwashing this time of year,” said VCSC communication director Bill Riley. “We also ask our janitorial staff to make sure all soap dispensers are full everyday and to sanitize and disinfect every surface everyday.”
Riley said in addition to this schools within the county have asked parents to make judgement calls on sending their kids to school if they show signs of symptoms.
“Even if a kid has to stay home from school due to sickness, our teachers will make sure they do not fall behind in classes. Our teachers are really good about that.”
Physicians and pharmacists within the county are still urging everyone to get vaccinated.
“Even if there is three months left, it still helps to prevent flu. If someone is getting the flu it helps [to] decrease the severity of the disease if you are vaccinated,” said Dr. Khan.
