Flu Cases in PA & NJ Rose 62%
According to a new research brief released in March 2019 by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4), the number of influenza hospitalizations in Pennsylvania increased from 5,328 in fiscal year 2017 to 8,647 in fiscal year 2018. This 62% increase shows substantial variation in the number of hospital admissions for influenza, a pattern that is similar to national trends.
Most PA & NJ Flu Hospitalizations Affect Vulnerable Populations
The brief focuses specifically on influenza admissions in fiscal year 2018 for Pennsylvania residents aged 65 and older and those under age 18, the two segments of the population at high risk of developing influenza-related complications that can result in hospitalization. Most influenza hospitalizations were for patients aged 65 and older (5,671 cases or 66% of all cases). There were 604 influenza admissions for children under age 18 (7% of all cases). Statewide, there were 67.5 influenza hospitalizations per 100,000 residents.
Flu Still a Serious Problem Nationwide
Influenza activity in the U.S. is on the rise, according to the weekly report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New York City and nine states (Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Carolina) experienced high influenza-like activity in late December 2018.
Although flu has not taken as many lives this year as last, when more than 80,000 people died, the number of deaths is still considerable. Five children died of flu-associated causes during the week ended March 30, 2019, bringing total number of childhood deaths for the season to 82. In total, as many as 50,900 total deaths due to the flu have occurred this season, according to the CDC.
The 2017-2018 flu season was a high-severity season, with 185 pediatric deaths reported to the CDC. About 80% of those deaths last year occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination.
Flu Shot Reduced Risk of Illness by 47%
Mid-season estimates suggest that the flu shot has reduced the risk of illness by around 47% in vaccinated people, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released Thursday. During the severe 2017-2018 flu season, vaccine efficacy was estimated at just 36%.