The statement appeared to provide assurance that other vaccines were not subject to the new restrictions. “Changes regarding seasonal vaccines such as COVID and influenza do not alter the Department's policy or messaging regarding childhood immunizations,” it said.
This flu season, the health department has reportedly canceled routine vaccination events and clinics. On social media, the department has avoided mentioning flu shots in posts about the flu, instead advising people to wash their hands and cover their coughs.
While Louisiana is seeing an early wave of flu, the rest of the country is trending upward in what appears to be a normal-looking season so far. Nationally, the rate of doctor visits for ILIs is 3.8 percent, with the increase in ILI activity similar to what was seen at this point in the year in the 2019-2020 flu season. At the height of flu seasons, the visit rate for ILIs is usually around 7 to 8 percent.
US ILI activity mapped by week during different flu seasons
Credit: CDC
Two children died from the flu last week, bringing the total number of child deaths this season to four. In the 2023-2024 season, 206 children died from flu-related illnesses. Most deaths occurred in early 2024.
COVID-19 is also causing a winter surge. Although the standard indicators of disease burden – hospital admissions and deaths – are low, they show a positive trend. Wastewater surveillance, meanwhile, shows a steep slope, with virus levels being detected at “moderate” levels.
