As flu cases rise, health officials say it’s not too late to get vaccinated – NBC Montana

As flu cases rise, health officials say it's not too late to get vaccinated

by Bryanna Carroll

Nationwide, the CDC is reporting elevated cases of the flu, while other respiratory illnesses such as RSV and COVID-19 have decreased in prevalence. Photo: NBC Montana{ }{p}{/p}

BOZEMAN, Mont.

Nationwide, the CDC is reporting elevated cases of the flu, while other respiratory illnesses such as RSV and COVID-19 have decreased in prevalence.

In Montana, the Department of Public Health and Human Services designated influenza as widespread, with above-average emergency room visits from patients reporting flulike symptoms during the month of January.

Last week, Yellowstone County reported close to 600 cases of Influenza, the highest in the state. Other areas with heightened flu activity include Flathead, Cascade, Lewis and Clark, Big Horn and Gallatin counties, all reporting between 200 and 500 cases in that same time period.

Dr. Peter Bulger, infectious disease medical director for Bozeman Health, says right now the state is currently in the midst of heavy flu season, and advises those who have not yet gotten vaccinated to do so now.

I think some people wonder whether it's still worth doing this far into the flu season, and I would say absolutely, it is still worth doing, said Bulger. The flu vaccine is definitely our best weapon against people getting the flu and against people getting terribly sick from the flu.

Bozeman Health has seen more flu hospitalizations in recent weeks than hospitalizations for COVID-19. But Bulger says the latter is still a threat, and for those who havent yet gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccination, he recommends getting that as well.

There's probably more COVID than anything out there, and as far as the number of hospitalizations and deaths, COVID is probably still the biggest threat, said Bulger.

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As flu cases rise, health officials say it's not too late to get vaccinated - NBC Montana