Cases of the flu are on the rise in Arkansas, according to the state department of health.
The ADH has received a large number of reports of flu infections and hospitalizations from all regions of the state and is aware of seven deaths from the flu.
Now health officials are encouraging residents six-months of age or older to get the flu vaccine.
ADH encourages everyone six months of age or older to get a flu vaccine.
“The vaccine keeps roughly 80 percent of recipients from getting the flu,” Dirk Haselow, MD, State Epidemiologist and Communicable Disease and Immunizations Section Chief at ADH said.
“While it is completely expected to see some of the vaccinated people develop the disease, those people will often have milder symptoms and shorter duration of illness compared to those who are unvaccinated.”
Pregnant women, young children, the elderly and those with chronic conditions like asthma or heart disease are at risk for severe flu-related illness.
For more information visit the ADH website at www.healthy.arkansas.gov or visit www.flu.gov.
