Humboldt County Urges Flu Vaccine Ahead of Expected Surge

With the flu season approaching, the Humboldt County Public Health Department is urging residents to receive their seasonal influenza vaccinations. Health officials emphasize that getting vaccinated now can help prevent illness and maintain community health.

Dr. Candy Stockton, Humboldt County’s Health Officer, indicated that flu activity typically peaks between October and April. “October is usually the best time to get your flu vaccine. This year, we haven’t started seeing an increase in flu yet, so there’s still time to get your flu vaccine before the surge hits us,” she noted in an email.

Wastewater analysis can provide early indicators of influenza activity, with levels often rising one to two weeks prior to an outbreak. Currently, California has not seen significant increases in these levels, suggesting that the flu season may not yet be underway.

Regarding COVID-19, Dr. Stockton recommends that individuals consider getting vaccinated in the coming weeks based on historical patterns. “Last year, we had a large peak during the late summer and a second smaller peak in the winter months,” she explained. “We expect to see a smaller peak between December and March if it follows the same pattern as last year.” Those who contracted COVID-19 this summer can wait four to six months after their infection before receiving a booster shot.

Vaccination is crucial due to the evolving nature of infectious diseases. “Vaccines work by teaching your immune system how to respond quickly to a specific virus or bacteria when exposed. With COVID-19 and flu, the virus changes fairly quickly, which is why we need to repeat boosters with annual vaccines,” Dr. Stockton elaborated.

The Public Health Department highlights the importance of vaccination not only for individual health but also for the community. “While very young children, older adults, and individuals with underlying health conditions are at higher risk for serious illness from the flu, even healthy young adults can experience severe complications. Most people who contract influenza or COVID-19 will miss several days of work or school, impacting families and communities,” Dr. Stockton stated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently adjusted its recommendations regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, which has affected accessibility for some individuals. In certain states, prescriptions may now be required to obtain booster shots. However, Dr. Stockton expressed confidence that California, particularly Humboldt County, will continue to facilitate access to vaccinations. “Thanks to quick action by the California Department of Public Health and commitments from health insurers, getting a vaccine in California should be very similar to last year,” she wrote.

Humboldt County currently adheres to the vaccine guidelines from the California Department of Public Health, which are aligned with the West Coast Health Alliance’s recommendations. Recently, the governors of Oregon, Washington, and California issued a joint statement expressing concerns over the politicization of the CDC under previous leadership, emphasizing the need for science-based health policies.

For detailed vaccine recommendations based on age and risk factors, residents can visit the California Department of Public Health’s website at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/publichealth4all/vaccines.aspx.

For further inquiries, Sage Alexander can be contacted at 707-441-0504.