Abilene, Texas-based Hendrick Medical Center treated more than 200 patients for influenza last week alone, according to a Tuesday report from KTAB/KRBC.
Beth Lantrip, RN, BSN, infection preventionist at Hendrick Medical Center, told KTAB/KRBC the region's flu activity increased about a month earlier than what the hospital usually sees. Ms. Lantrip encouraged community residents to get vaccinated against influenza.
"It's not just about you, it's about our entire community," Ms. Lantrip said during an interview with KTAB/KRBC. "[It's about] protecting those vulnerable people. Children under six months can't get the vaccine, so we need to protect them."
Texas is one of 36 states experiencing widespread flu activity, according to the CDC's FluView update for the week ending Dec. 23, 2017. At present, the CDC has tallied 12 pediatric flu deaths nationally for the 2017-18 flu season.
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