Weekly Flu Report, October 31, 2014

Welcome to the “Flu Facts” section of the Department of Public Health blog. Every week from now until the end of flu season, you’ll see the latest weekly data on the impact of influenza in Massachusetts. The weekly report is designed to provide a snapshot on rates of flu-like illness being reported by select health care providers and health care facilities in the state. The data is presented through a variety of lenses including age group, geographic location, and number of hospitalizations. You’ll also find information on rates of flu-like illness in the previous two years, to give a better idea on how this flu season is shaping up.

This week’s report shows that the rate of flu-like illness in Massachusetts is relatively low. That’s in keeping with how flu season tends to develop in this part of the country, where flu rates don’t tend to peak until February or even later into March. The good news is that there is still time to protect yourself and your family from getting or spreading the flu, by getting vaccinated. Contact your health care provider, your local board of health or a pharmacy in your area to get your flu shot today.