Flu cases were on the rise this season while vaccination rates declined

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Statewide as well as local flu cases rose this year while vaccination rates fell, according to statewide research from the California Department of Public Health (CDPF).

Karissa LeClair Cortez with the Santa Cruz County Health Services says that local vaccination rates have dropped pretty significantly over years past.

"We know for Santa Cruz County the flu vaccination rate for this year was around 31% the most recent time that we checked [and] we know that this is significantly lower than we would want for herd immunity from flu," said Cortez. "That's the case in usual years but it's lower than it has been in previous years as well so it seems like there has been a decreased amount of people getting the flu vaccine."

Cortez says that the county wants to see these numbers "at least doubled" and that the flu vaccine is covered by all insurances.

Cortez also says that if side effects are a deterrent for why people are not getting vaccinated, not to worry.

"Most often the flu vaccine doesn't have significant side effects," she said. "The most common side effect that you probably can expect, is some soreness at the site."

According to the CDPF, the overall percentage of flu detections in labs during the week ending February 1 was 27.8%, up 1.2% from the week ending January 25.

Additionally, the CDPF says that flu hospitalizations and mortality rates went up slightly during this same time period. The vast majority of deaths, according to the CDFP, occurred in people older than 65 years old, accounting for approximately 75% of flu-related deaths.

Despite flu numbers rising this season, COVID numbers fell and remained at a steady low, according to Cortez.

"Cases peaked locally around the end of January, so they are somewhat decreasing now but there is still a relatively high flu burden," said Cortez. "Influenza A usually comes earlier in the season and that's the one we've observed peaking. Usually we see influenza B starting to rise later in the flu season and we know that flu season can go all the way through May so we're kind of preparing our systems and making sure to get education out to the public in order to let folks know there are still some steps they can take because we're right in the middle of flu season... there is still a bit of time left."

Cortez says that the county Health Services Agency is preparing for defunding and spread of misinformation in regards to not just the flu, but all illnesses.