HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – The start of October also means the start of flu season. The Alabama Department of Public Health says flu season can last from October to May, with peak season from January to February.
Huntsville Hospital said it sees the effects of flu season in waves. They already saw their first influx of cases last week.
CEO and President of Huntsville Hospital, Tracy Doughty, said they are expecting another increase in the next few weeks, with many students in North Alabama on fall break.
Doughty said the hospital is taking extra precautions, such as wearing masks and extra cleaning for rooms of COVID-19 and flu patients. ADPH said they’ve done their prep work as well.
Dr. Taylor Burnestine explained that they are able to watch flu season in the southern hemisphere.
“The flu season in the southern hemisphere is from April to September,” she said. “So they’ve actually already had their flu season, and we look to see how effective the vaccine was for them because we’re using the same preparation.”
She said they look at numbers, like how many people were hospitalized and the death rate.
Based on the data from the southern hemisphere, Dr. Burnestine said they are predicting a mild flu season for us, and the vaccines proved to be effective.
Huntsville Hospital said anyone over the age of 19 years old can get a flu shot at the Medical Mall, located at 1963 Memorial Pkwy SW Suite 5. You can also find a flu shot at many doctors’ offices and major pharmacies.
The health department said they recommend a flu shot for anyone over 6 months old.
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