Pediatric ICUs and kids’s hospitals in Boston are reporting “noticeable increases in patient volume,” in accordance with well being officers who’re urging residents to get their annual flu shot and keep up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Boston Public Health Commission on Tuesday, whereas selling flu vaccination clinics within the metropolis, famous that pediatric intensive care items and native kids’s hospitals are “already experiencing noticeable increases in patient volume because of the new school year and changes in the weather.”
The well being officers are warning that the combo of excessive charges of COVID-19 and flu may put critical pressure on Boston’s well being care system, particularly emergency care — which is why the Boston Public Health Commission is encouraging residents to get up-to-date on their vaccinations early within the season.
“Getting your annual flu shot is one of the best ways to stay healthy this winter as we prepare to spend more time indoors with friends and family,” mentioned Bisola Ojikutu, commissioner of Public Health and government director of the Boston Public Health Commission.
“Being vaccinated against the flu and staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations are essential for preventing severe illness,” Ojikutu added. “If you get the flu, remember to stay home to avoid spreading it to others and to get plenty of rest and hydration to support your recovery.”
Boston Children’s Hospital, like many hospitals throughout the nation, reported that it’s experiencing excessive affected person quantity and a rise in wait instances.
“The volume is being driven by higher levels of seasonal and respiratory illness and the ongoing behavioral health crisis,” Boston Children’s Hospital officers mentioned in a press release. “Where potential, we encourage households to first contact their main care practitioners as they may also help decide scientific care and therapy choices that probably keep away from lengthy wait instances.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our process as needed to ensure we are protecting the health, safety and well-being of our patients and families as well as our staff,” the hospital employees added.
The commonest signs of the flu are fever, chills, cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nostril, muscle or physique aches, headache, fatigue, and in some instances, vomiting and diarrhea. The flu is very infectious and might result in extreme sickness, hospitalization and demise — particularly amongst individuals 65 and older, pregnant individuals, individuals with continual medical situations, and kids beneath 5.
Two free flu vaccination clinics shall be held at Boston City Hall in Room 801 on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Monday, Oct. 17, from 1 to five p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, and free COVID-19 vaccinations can even be obtainable throughout each clinics.
Appointments to get a flu shot may also be made at native pharmacies, group well being facilities, physician’s workplaces, or at a clinic sponsored by a hospital.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”