Pediatric flu vaccine rate falls across Midstate
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – The brutal flu season doctors have been warning of is finally here. Over 12-thousand infections have already been reported across the Commonwealth, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Health.
“We’re seeing the flu season hit much earlier and much harder,” UPMC Infectious Disease Expert Dr. John Goldman said. “Usually, peak flu season is in January or February. We’re seeing levels that are five, six and seven times higher than what we typically see for this time of year.”
Goldman also said that pediatric influenza vaccines are down. Only 50-thousand kids across their seven healthcare centers have gotten their flu shot this year. That number was over 110-thousand last season.