As the flu season comes to an end, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report that shows a record number of flu-related deaths occurred this year.

Despite this, there was a significant drop in the number of patients who required ICU admission for flu-related illnesses.

The Numbers

The flu season typically runs from October through May, and the 2019-2020 flu season started off relatively mild. However, as the months progressed, flu activity increased. By the end of the season, there were:.

Over 38 million people with flu-like illnesses
18 million medical visits related to the flu
405,000 hospitalizations due to the flu
22,000 flu-related deaths

These numbers are higher than the previous season’s numbers, which saw 35 million cases of flu-like illnesses, 490,000 hospitalizations, and 34,000 deaths. However, there is one significant difference between the two seasons: ICU admissions.

The ICU Admission Drop

Despite the higher number of flu-related deaths, there was a significant drop in the number of patients who required ICU admission for the flu.

This year, only 11% of flu-related hospitalizations required ICU care, compared to 13% in the previous season.

Experts speculate that this could be due to younger individuals being more affected by the flu this year, as opposed to the elderly, who typically require more intensive care.

Additionally, the flu vaccine may have played a significant role in preventing severe illness that would require hospitalization, let alone ICU admission.

The Importance of the Flu Vaccine

Every year, the CDC recommends that individuals get their flu shot, as it is the most effective way to prevent the flu. The vaccine works by exposing the body to small amounts of the virus, which allows the body to build up immunity to it.

Even if an individual still gets the flu after getting the vaccine, the illness is typically milder and shorter in duration.

The flu vaccine is especially important for those at high risk of complications from the flu, including:.

Adults over the age of 65
Children under the age of 5
Pregnant women
Individuals with weakened immune systems

Getting vaccinated not only protects individuals but also helps to reduce the spread of the flu within communities.

Conclusion

The 2019-2020 flu season saw a record number of flu-related deaths. However, the drop in ICU admissions suggests that individuals who did contract the flu experienced milder symptoms, potentially due to the flu vaccine.

This reinforces the importance of getting vaccinated, especially for those at high risk of complications. As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important not to forget about the other illnesses that can pose a significant threat to our health.