It’s still recommended that healthcare providers continue to actively recommend influenza vaccination for everyone six months of age and older.
Public Health Seattle & King County reported in February 2011 that flu was still circulating in the area during week 5, though at lower levels than what we typically see during peak seasons. Looking back, in three of seven influenza seasons since 2002, flu activity didn’t peak until March or even later. The exception, of course, was the 2009 H1N1 outbreak, which followed a very different pattern.
On the national level, the CDC found that the current trivalent vaccine was well-matched to the strains circulating at that time. That match between vaccine and circulating virus is one of the key factors in how much protection we see across the community.
Seasonal flu patterns can be unpredictable. Some years activity drops early, while other years it lingers into spring. The important takeaway is that flu vaccination still matters late in the season. Patients often ask if it’s worth getting the shot in February or March. The data suggest that it is, especially since later peaks are not unusual.
For more information and regular updates, you can check local and national resources:
Scott Rennie, D.O.
Board Certified in Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine
This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individual medical advice. Always consult your own physician before making changes to your health, medications, or treatment plan.
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