ROCK ISLAND COUNTY, Ill. — The CDC is concerned over declining flu vaccination numbers this year.
The organization said around 34 million flu vaccines were given to adults between August and mid-October 2021.
This year, that number is down to around 29 million.
Local health experts are worried about respiratory diseases going into the winter season - especially among children.
"Flu is going to be a little bit more severe this year, along with RSV and COVID," Rock Island County Health Department administrator Nita Ludwig said. "I think to protect yourself and protect your family, you really need to get whatever vaccinations you're eligible to get."
The health department said their numbers are slightly improved this year as they've done more local clinics.
"Throughout October and early November, we've done 44 clinics off-site," Ludwig said. "In the community, we do a lot of clinics at township offices, businesses and groups that have called and had us do their flu shots."
Ludwig clarified that the improved numbers only reflect her department's own vaccinations - they do not include numbers from local pharmacies, hospitals and medical practices.
Scott County Health Department said only 20% of people have gotten a flu shot compared to almost 38% last year.
However, Scott County's public numbers aren't week-to-week like the CDC's - so officials said their numbers should improve as the vaccination season continues.
Ludwig hopes that more people will get the flu shot and other protection.
"Prevention is better than getting sick, right? Everybody would rather prevent something than to get sick," she said. "We have very excellent, very great flu vaccines this year to protect from the strains that are circulating, as well as protection from COVID-19."
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