Hospitalizations and emergency department visits related to influenza are increasing in Kentucky. There have been widespread reports of flu and respiratory virus outbreaks and of schools closing or using nontraditional instruction days across the commonwealth due to high levels of illness.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months of age and older get the annual flu and COVID-19 vaccine, especially children who are younger than 5 or anyone with a high-risk medical condition.
Influenza vaccination rates have been declining in recent years. Less than 17% of Kentucky children have received a flu vaccine this season, and 2% have received an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
