Local

Ohio Department of Health warns of possible ‘winter surge’ of respiratory health issues

By Kelcey Norris Mahoning Matters
Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health, reminded Ohio residents they can help keep each other safe by staying up-to-date on vaccines.
Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health, reminded Ohio residents they can help keep each other safe by staying up-to-date on vaccines. karinsasaki Getty Images/iStockphoto

Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health, reminded Ohio residents they can help keep each other safe by staying up-to-date on vaccines, which include seasonal influenza, the respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and COVID-19.

“It’s a wonderful time of year in so many ways, but as I’ve shared before, a season when Ohio and the nation typically see an increase in respiratory viruses. At this point last year, probably we were in the midst of a dramatic spike in both influenza and RSV cases. Now I’m happy to report that is not yet the case this year,” he said.

Dr. Vanderhoff shared the good news: new cases of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 are still minimal in Ohio.

“But at the same time, history tells us that we will almost certainly see some sort of winter surge of COVID-19 and RSV,” he said. “That underlines the importance of taking advantage of this current window of opportunity to get vaccinated against these diseases.”

Who should get a flu shot?

Dr. Vanderhoff said while the winter flu won’t usually lead to hospitalization or severe illness for most of us, it can be a serious illness for seniors and anyone immunocompromised.

ODH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say it’s essential that the following groups get vaccinated:

  • Pregnant women
  • Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than two years old
  • People 65 years of age and older
  • People of any age with chronic illnesses
  • People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
  • People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, like caregivers and health care workers.

These groups are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications or live with or care for people at a higher risk of developing flu-related complications.

COVID-19 vaccine update in Ohio

According to Dr. Vanderhoff, more than 882,000 Ohioans have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine approved earlier this fall.

“That’s about 7.6% of the population,” he said. “This vaccine is particularly important as I’ve mentioned before, for those age 65 and older or who are immunocompromised. About 24% of Ohioans who are 65 and older have received the new vaccine.”

CONNECT WITH US

WEB SITE ► https://www.mahoningmatters.com

DAILY NEWS EMAIL ► https://www.mahoningmatters.com/customer-service/newsletter-signup/

FACEBOOK ► https://www.facebook.com/mahoningmatters

TWITTER ► https://twitter.com/mahoningmatters

YOUTUBE ► https://www.youtube.com/@mahoningmatters2814

INSTAGRAM ► https://www.instagram.com/mahoningmatters

SUPPORT US ► https://givebutter.com/vNfzEW