Flu Season Surges in Washington State: Hospitalizations Spike as Experts Urge Vaccination
Washington State is grappling with a notable surge in flu cases this season, with new statewide data revealing a sharp increase in flu-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits compared to previous years. Snohomish County recently reported its first two flu-related deaths of the season, underscoring the severity of the outbreak.Public health officials in snohomish county noted, “Local Emergency departments are also seeing a higher number of visits due to flu, nearly five times higher than the threshold that would alert officials to increased transmission; twice as high as what was reported during the same week in 2024.” This alarming trend highlights the growing strain on healthcare systems as flu activity intensifies.
A Delayed but Intense Flu Season
According to Dr. Paul Thottingal, senior director of communicable diseases and organizational preparedness at Kaiser Permanente, “Flu is still an issue. It’s come later, but now it’s here, and there’s no lost opportunity of getting vaccinated.” The delayed onset of the flu season this year contrasts with the earlier peaks observed during the pandemic. Dr.Thottingal explained,”In the last two years,we’ve seen influenza start earlier and peak pretty early. So generally, influenza, prior to the pandemic, the season was somewhere between the end of December, beginning of March, and that’s kind of more on time this year than in prior years during the pandemic.”
January and February are typically the worst months for flu, but in Washington, the season can extend into March and April. Dr. Ana Weil, an infectious diseases physician at UW Medicine, emphasized the variability of flu seasons, stating, “There’s year-to-year differences in the influenza infections. these can be due to vaccination rates. They can be due to the, more importantly, the strain that’s circulating in a given year.”
Pediatric Flu Activity on the Rise
Pediatric flu activity has also been notably high in recent weeks.Doctors at Seattle Children’s Hospital are urging parents to monitor their children closely for severe symptoms. Dr. Sara Vora, an infectious disease pediatrician at Seattle Children’s, advised, “If kids are not staying hydrated, so they’re not taking in fluids for young, younger kids or babies, you can look at how many wet diapers they’re having, so if that’s gone down significantly, it can be a sign they’re dehydrated.”
Vaccination Rates Decline Amid “vaccine Fatigue”
As flu-related hospital visits climb, state data indicates a slight decline in flu vaccinations this season. dr. Weil suggested that “vaccine fatigue is a possible reason. After, you know, the COVID-19 period when people were more accustomed to getting frequent vaccines, I think some of the enthusiasm may be lowered, which I think is unfortunate.” This drop in vaccination rates could be contributing to the spike in flu cases, as fewer individuals are protected against the virus.
Key Takeaways: Flu Season in Washington State
| Key Metric | Details |
|——————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Flu Hospitalizations | Higher than previous seasons, with a sharp rise since November. |
| Pediatric Cases | High activity reported, with severe symptoms requiring medical attention. |
| Vaccination Rates | Slightly down this season, potentially due to “vaccine fatigue.” |
| Season Duration | Typically peaks in January and February but can extend into March and April.|
A Call to Action: Get Vaccinated
Health professionals are urging Washington residents to get vaccinated against the flu, especially as the season progresses and other respiratory viruses like RSV and COVID-19 also see a rise. Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect against severe illness and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.
As the flu season continues to unfold, staying informed and taking preventive measures can make all the difference. Don’t wait—get your flu shot today.
Anthony Kaczmarek 11/09/2024 12:00 4 min 
