Photo: newsday.com
"Experts Warn of Severe Flu Season Amid Vaccine Hesitancy"
Experts are warning of a severe flu season due to rising vaccine hesitancy and alarming influenza trends observed in New York and other regions.
- Federal health officials predict the 2024-2025 flu season will be a heavy severity season, with New York State reporting the most lab-confirmed influenza cases in six years.
- Long Island infectious disease specialists note a concerning trend of growing refusal to receive the influenza vaccine, which could exacerbate the impact of the upcoming flu season.
- Doctors are monitoring the southern hemispheres flu patterns, as they often help forecast the severity of the influenza season in the northern hemisphere.
Why It Matters
The warning about a severe flu season underscores the critical need for widespread vaccination, especially amid rising vaccine hesitancy. As flu and COVID-19 vaccine uptake declines, communities could face significant health risks and increased hospitalizations.