ANKENY – 97 people in Iowa have already died from the flu and now clinics are trying to keep up with those growing numbers.
Patients have been waiting one to two hours when they go to the Urgent Care. Danielle Chrisco and her son Boston have been waiting for an hour.
“It’s to be expected. There’s a lot of sick people and everyone needs to be seen so we kind of expected it and anticipated it,” said Chrisco.
Boston has the flu and he isn’t the first in his house to get it.
“He had a sister with it two weeks ago, a brother with it last week, his dad has it this week and now he’s here with it,” said Chrisco.
He along with many others in the waiting room are wearing a mask. If they have flu symptoms, like a possible fever, they wear a mask to try to keep everyone as healthy as possible and minimize the spreading of the flu.
“We also have a lot of patients who are not a candidate for influenza, who will wear a mask to protect themselves,” said D.O. Kayla Egli.
Providers say they’ve seen an increase in the amount of flu shots given. They say the increase is because of the amount of flu that’s spreading and public awareness. Even though the shot is said to only be 20% effective for Influenza A this year, the vaccination can still prevent you from getting the virus and possible Influenza B.
“A lot of people do get the flu immediately after the shot because they haven’t been protected yet. So we highly recommend that everyone go out and get their flu shot,” said D.O. Egli.
The shot is just one way that you can prevent the flu. Doctors can also prescribe Tamiflu to those who are eligible to take it. The flu season is at it’s peak, but that doesn’t mean it’s over yet. Doctors say it’s better to prevent yourself from getting it sooner than later.
