Getting the Flu Shot This Fall – We are Begging You!

Dear families,

Please get the flu vaccine this fall!  We are begging you. This is why:

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unusual and unexpected effects on a number of respiratory illnesses, including Influenza.  In a typical year, Influenza kills 300,000- 600,000 people worldwide.  In the US, between 10,000 to 20,000 children are hospitalized and 50 – 200 children die from influenza annually.  Last winter (the 2020-2021 winter viral season), influenza practically vanished worldwide. There was only one pediatric death in the United States.  This happened due to all the precautions taken during the pandemic, including masking, social distancing, remote schooling, and the shut-down of international travel.

Unfortunately, some typically winter season viruses came back out of season—RSV and croup viruses were at a high in the spring and summer this year and caused a surge in hospitalization of children less than 3 years of age.

Doctors and scientists are concerned that we could see a rebound of influenza this 2021-2022 winter season due to lessening of all the precautions taken last year. The flu season this winter could be particularly severe because we have more very young children who are vulnerable due to no previous exposure to influenza.  In the Wichita area, our practice has seen infrequent but persistent cases of both Influenza A and Influenza B throughout the summer. We are watching and hoping that influenza does not surge. But the experts say that it probably will.

Do it for the babies.  Please get your entire family (age 6 months and older) vaccinated this fall.

Love,

Your Redbuddies