NORFOLK, Va. — Flu season begins this month, and doctors say there's no better time to get vaccinated than before cases start ticking up.
"Flu, it has not really started picking up yet, thank goodness," said Dr. Douglas Mitchell. "And the time to get a vaccine is before we start seeing the flu."
Dr. Mitchell is a general pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters in Norfolk. 13News Now wanted to gain his insight about the data from this past flu season.
CDC data shows this past flu season from October 2023 to mid-May took a historic toll on Americans. The agency reported a record 200 pediatric flu deaths, and said about 80% of the children were not fully vaccinated.
"Those deaths are preventable deaths, that's my thought," Dr. Mitchell said. "We can prevent those deaths in pediatrics and in adults with the flu vaccine usage."
Dr. Mitchell said the drop-in vaccination rates are tied to limited access to primary care and vaccine hesitancy. Despite this, he says efforts in Hampton Roads to prevent high Flu deaths are working.
"We're probably above the state and national averages for what we're doing when it comes from advocating for vaccines. It comes from talking with each person as they come into the office and reassuring them of the safety."
That's why Dr. Mitchell recommends parents get their children vaccinated as soon as possible. He says everyone six months and older is eligible for the flu and Covid-19 vaccines.
"Vaccines work, they're safe," he said. "The way we can prevent those bad outcomes from Flu and Covid and other illnesses is through Covid vaccinations."
One local mother we caught up with says she is making sure her son stays protected.
"So, his school actually does a Flu Shot clinic," said Maria Burke. "So, he'll be getting a Flu shot from there."
Another mother has rules for house guests to keep her one-year-old healthy.
"We really don't have anyone over. And, if they do come over, we make sure they wash their hands and they have hand sanitizer. If anyone is feeling any type of sick, we don't allow them to come over to the house."
Vaccines may be available at pharmacies, your healthcare provider office, or through your local health department.