Stark County flu season to ramp up, doctors prep for surge

• Northeast Ohio’s flu season is underway, and medical professionals are expecting cases to rise into winter.
• Local medical officials recommend vaccinations to help combat the flu and spreading the illness.
• Massillon Health Department offers flu clinics Tuesdays and Thursdays, while Alliance has options Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

Bless you!

Stark County residents are being urged to remain vigilant for the impending brunt of flu season by getting vaccinated.

Flu season is ramping up in the region, but it’s unclear how severe it will be this winter. Medical professionals are urging folks to stay ahead of the curve.

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“It’s early, but definitely coming,” said Dr. Neha Vyas, a family medicine physician for The Cleveland Clinic. “After Thanksgiving is (typically) when we start seeing a steady uptick in people getting sick from spending holiday time with friends and family.”

With an expected rise respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, colds and COVID-19 cases, Vyas recommends folks ages 6 months and older get their flu vaccines. “Masking-up” for large gatherings and staying at home are other safe avenues to consider.

A large number of northeast Ohioans have become more accustomed to taking precautions after enduring the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years ago, Vyas said.

“We’ve gotten better at staying at home when sick, instead of fighting through things,” the doctor said.

But some have gone back to their pre-COVID ways, Vyas said, noting that there are “vaccine holdouts,” who have grown annoyed by getting annual shots since the COVID-19 outbreak.

“There is a little vaccine fatigue,” she said. “But I think most people are willing to get (them).”

Flu can cause a cough, sore throat, fatigue headaches and body aches and fever, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flu vaccination numbers are also down somewhat in Alliance, according to Melissa Rudolph, nursing director for Alliance City Health Department.

“It’s mostly because pharmacies and (medical clinics) offer vaccines,” she said.

Getting vaccinated for the flu is helpful to more than just one person, Vyas said.

“It plays two roles − for you and others,” Vyas said. “You may be OK, but if you’re near grandma, she could get sick.”

Canton health official: ‘Number of naysayers has increased’

Canton Health Commissioner Jim Adams said the number of city reported, weekly flu and COVID-19 cases is increasing, but seems to lower overall compared to 2022. For instance, last week there were 28 flu cases reported, including two hospitalizations.

“We’re starting the middle part of the flu season, and reported cases are trending higher,” said Adams, noting that traditionally around 40% of people nationwide are faithful vaccinators.

What’s more concerning, Adams said, is that vaccination rates – for flu and most child-age diseases – are down statewide.

“We’ve seen hesitations related to COVID vaccines, and some of that gets transferred to the flu,” he said. “The number of naysayers has increased.”

Misinformation stemming from social media can be a contributing factor among folks pushing back against getting vaccinated, Adams said.

“Definitely, get your information from medical providers, not the Internet,” he said. “Flu vaccines have been out there for a very long time. They are extremely safe, and they work.”

Massillon Health Department: ‘Steady flow’ of city residents getting flu shots

As of Thursday, the Massillon Health Department has administered 99 flu shots since mid-October, which is up about 10% from last year on the same date, according to Audrey Sylvester, the facility’s director of nursing.

Altogether, the Health Department doled out 135 flu shots in 2022, Sylvester said.

“We’re getting a steady flow of older adults getting COVID-19 and flu shots together,” said Sylvester, adding that the current flu season seems “moderate,” or similar to 2022.

October marked the official start of flu season in northeast Ohio, and when health officials start tracking the illness and its impact locally.

Flu-shot clinics at the Massillon agency are slated on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. Appointments are required in advance, and can be made by calling 330-830-1712.

Alliance also offers weekly flu shots via walk-in or appointment, Rudolph said.

Clinics are slated on Thursdays through the end of December. Times are from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 14, 21 and 28.

COVID-19 shots are from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays by appointment only. Call the Health Department at 330-821-7373 to make flu or COVID shot appointments.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

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