There's been a spike in pediatric deaths from influenza nationwide; including a 1-month-old boy that died last month in Milwaukee. Tom Haupt, State Respiratory Disease Coordinator, says the youngest age to administer a flu vaccine is 6-months-old. Haupt encourages any person living in the same home as a newborn to receive a flu shot.
Of the three flu strains in circulation, Haupt says, only one will match up very well with the vaccine. However, he still encourages people to get vaccinated, noting your odds of staying healthy are better than if you don't get a flu shot. Good hygiene is an important way to prevent influenza. Haupt also says, all to often, people return to work or school too soon after the illness' onset. To help combat contagion, adults should stay home five days after becoming ill and children, about a week.
Haupt says this flu season is running late and may not have peaked yet. Historically, the season peaks late January or early February. He says the "worse might still be yet to come."