Influenza is on the rise in Wisconsin hospitals as vaccination rates fall

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The flu is spreading in southeastern Wisconsin right now.

Doctors say hospitalizations are up across the state, and flu vaccinations rates are down for the season.

Mary Beth Graham, medical director of infection prevention at Froedtert Hospital, says flu season started late in Wisconsin, but numbers have spiked dramatically over the last two weeks.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is reporting "very high activity" for influenza across the state.

A recent line graph shows emergency department visits for respiratory illnesses. It shows an influenza diagnosis in 6.1% of emergency department visits from Jan. 12-18, 2025.

Thats significantly higher than both Covid and RSV numbers, much higher than last flu season.

Graham says this isn't unexpected but comes as influenza vaccination rates are quite low this season.

That's especially among older, more vulnerable adults, whom they typically hope to see at a 70% vaccination rate.

"For the state of Wisconsin, we've got influenza vaccination rates 32-some percent of everybody who's eligible. But for 65 and older, what we're seeing is in the 60% range," Graham explained. "So, it just keeps going down, which is unfortunate."

It's not too late to get a flu vaccination this season. Dan Shirley, medical director of infection prevention at UW Health, says peaks like this typically last for several weeks.

A flu shot now could lower your chances for severity of influenza infection heading into February.

Along with vaccinations, there are things you can do to minimize the spread and severity.

"Staying home when you're sick, figuring out what you have by getting tested," Shirley said. "Especially those people who are vulnerable should get tested and seek care early, so they might get treatment for these things."

Anti-viral medications are available for those who detect an influenza infection early, typically within the first 48 hours.