inslee flu shot
ov. Jay Inslee just got his flu shot at a pharmacy Thursday in Tumwater, Wash. (Image courtesy State Department of Health)

Flu peaking nationwide, rising in Washington

BY Tim Haeck  on January 25, 2013 @ 11:41 am (Updated: 1:18 pm - 1/25/13 )

New figures from the federal government suggest the flu might be leveling in part of the country, but in Washington, the flu is still considered widespread and deadly.

Emergency room visits are one indicator of flu activity according to Donn Moyer, spokesman for the state Health Department.

"Those types of visits are continuing to increase throughout the state," he said.

Figures show less flu activity nationwide, except for the west, southwest and northwest.

The flu death toll continues to rise in Washington.

"The sad result of flu, often, is death, especially for certain groups of people and older people are among them," said Moyer. "We've had 17 laboratory-confirmed deaths in Washington this season and 15 of them were 70 and older."

The Snohomish Health District reports Friday that flu outbreaks have happened at nine longterm care facilities through Jan. 19, compared to one facility reporting flu in the 2011-2012 flu season

Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 37 children have died from flu this season.

Flu is considered widespread in Washington but the level of flu activity varies in different parts of the state.

"For example, it started a little bit earlier in Puget Sound than it did in Eastern Washington and then it spread throughout Western Washington, so we are still in the midst of it, flu activity is increasing in both parts of the state and we expect that to continue for a little bit," said Moyer.

The Center for Disease Control reports 133 million doses of flu vaccine have been distributed so far this season and vaccine is still available and recommended. Gov. Jay Inslee just got his flu shot at a pharmacy Thursday in Tumwater, Wash. Moyer recommends calling around to doctor offices, clinics and pharmacies to check on availability.

A free flu vaccine clinic for uninsured adults is Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Comcast Skate Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett, Wash.

The CDC says we still have five-to-seven weeks of elevated flu season to endure.

"Right now, it's looking like January or February for a peak, but flu continues well beyond that and we can have cases clear into the spring, so getting your flu shot now will protect you and your family throughout the next few weeks and months to come," said Moyer.

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (7)


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  • ToldYa wrote...
    Just Say NO tot he Flu shot
    January 25, 2013 12:10 pm
    They are ineffective and laced w/ toxic contaminants. Eat healthy fresh non-processed foods and wash your hands and face. Say NO to Big Pharma's poison.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • monkeyal wrote...
    So, America has 315,000,000 people and
    January 25, 2013 12:32 pm
    133,000,000 dosages of the flu shot have been distributed. But how many actual flu shots have been injected into how many folks?? Perhaps 182,000,000 plus have not gotten the shot. And earlier media reports said 15,000-20,000 yearly deaths can be attributed to the flu. Finally, how many people who get a flu shot end up dying from the flu?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Was there some common sense and math skills in that injection.
    January 25, 2013 1:56 pm
    THAT is what he is truyly missing.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleNerd wrote...
    ToldYa, wow...
    January 25, 2013 3:20 pm
    I bet you also don't believe in vaccinations or "Science". Now, you can be against the flu shot for all sorts of reasons, but saying it is "laced with toxic contaminants" is the dumbest thing I've read all day. And i read mynorthwest.com!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TheKingBoar wrote...
    Just Say NO to ToldYa's fabricated lies
    January 25, 2013 3:24 pm
    There are ZERO contaminates or "toxins" in flue shots. The flu shot this year is 90% effective, and 2 of the 3 strains in the shot are active. Healthy/fresh food is good and all, but let's not ignore the gift of medical technology. Ignoring flu shots is like not wearing your seatbelt. A diet alone will not save you from the flu.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    If that was Rob -
    January 25, 2013 6:28 pm
    he would have taken the shot in the asssssssssssss! He did?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • GoldFish wrote...
    I still can't believe
    January 25, 2013 10:03 pm
    that this state elected that looser over McKenna. I mean seriously? That actually happened? This state has serious problems.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }