The Arizona Department of Health and Safety is warning against a major flu season in 2024.
The season officially started last month, and cases are up 200% over last year in the state.
Dr. Frank LoVecchio with Valleywise Health said this spike in flu cases is much earlier than other years.
”It’s interesting because we’ve had 600 confirmed cases so far this season,” he said. “We technically started the flu season Sept. 29, so that is an increase compared to last season.”
LoVecchio said that he’s not sure why this flu season has spiked so early, but that it tends to peak earlier in some years and later in others.
He also said fewer people are getting vaccinated, and there is growing sentiment against vaccines.
The flu vaccine changes year over year to adapt to new strains of the virus, which is why an annual shot is recommended.
Even though LoVecchio says this year’s vaccine isn’t a perfect match for the strain of flu, the best way to protect yourself and those around you is still to get vaccinated, wash your hands and stay home if you’re not feeling well.
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