Doctors in Wisconsin push flu vaccine as virus cases spike

MILWAUKEE — With all counties of Wisconsin coping with excessive ranges of influenza-like sickness exercise and with solely 30% of Wisconsinites vaccinated to date, docs are encouraging everybody to get vaccinated in opposition to influenza sooner reasonably than later.

“We’re firstly of our season and we’ve truly had a doubling of our circumstances within the hospital within the final couple of weeks,” Dr. David Ottenbaker, vice chairman of ambulatory medical applications at SSM Well being, informed Spectrum Information 1. “The vaccine does look like working, and it takes about two weeks after the vaccine to achieve your peak effectiveness.”

Whereas the vaccine may not shield somebody from contracting the virus this yr, it ought to assist to reduce one’s signs.

“On the very worst, we do see a mitigation of the signs,” Ottenbaker added. “In previous years [there was a] 50% discount in hospitalizations, and once more, within the very younger and extra necessary within the very previous who’re in danger for extra vital sickness, [they] ought to actually be considering of getting this vaccine.”

You may watch the complete interview above.