NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW. COM) – In recent memory, more and more people are contracting the flu in North Texas and doctors are worried about what could be a new reason.
In the last week, 800 patients at Cook Children’s Medical Center tested positive for the flu, and that’s all I can remember.
In Dallas County, an alarming rise and doctors said doubts about the COVID-19 vaccine have now led many others to refuse seasonal flu vaccines.
Inside Cook Children’s Medical Center, beds are full and wait times are long due to a flu epidemic that is affecting all of North Texas.
In Dallas County, cases rose 18 last week with 133 new hospitalizations.
“It’s anything that doesn’t happen, it’s just about doing nothing, it’s about not acting,” said Christian Grisales of the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services. “That’s why we’re redoubling our efforts to bring the vaccine to the community. “
Dallas County Health and Human Services conducted two self-service services Thursday and Friday.
But the Dallas County Medical Society says the outbreak is getting worse because many North Texans are now refusing to get a flu shot for the same reason they’ve moved away from COVID vaccines.
“I think the COVID hesitation, and then the frustration with various COVID vaccines, I think they bled to death in the flu vaccine, which every year has consistently won its flu show, some of them didn’t make it or maybe they were complacent about it,” said Dr. Anna Stuart. Beth Kassanoff-Piper of the Dallas County Medical Society.
Kassanoff says it’s not too late to get vaccinated and others over 65 threaten to die if they avoid vaccines.
She said doctors are also noticing that a big challenge is that other people in poor health continue to faint in public and at work.
“People don’t stay home if they’re not feeling well, or assume they have allergies, or they feel like they’ve missed too much laughter in recent years and are even passing out. “if they don’t feel well. “