Flu is spreading rapidly in NC. Is February too late to get a vaccine? We asked a doctor
As flu season comes to an end, the death toll in North Carolina from the virus is nearing 250.
There have been 246 flu-related deaths in North Carolina since Oct. 5, according to data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
In fact, the state is currently experiencing its second-highest season of lab-confirmed flu cases in the last seven years, Dr. Emily Sickbert-Bennett, an epidemiologist with UNC Health, told The Charlotte Observer.
High case counts could be due to the time of year, when flu cases usually spike, or because of low vaccination rates and more social interaction, Dr. Abhi Mehrotra, an emergency physician at UNC Health, previously told the Observer.
Mehrotra said people who are most at risk of developing severe illness from the flu include those who have weakened immune systems, are on multiple medications or have underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or lung diseases.
But is it too late to get the influenza vaccine? Here’s what to know.
Is it too late to get a flu vaccine?
No, it’s not too late, Sickbert-Bennett said.
“Vaccination is an important strategy to reduce a person’s susceptibility to developing severe disease with influenza,” she said.
A high-dose flu vaccine is available for those aged 65 and older to boost their immune system response to the virus, as they’re generally at high risk for severe flu and complications, according to Mayo Clinic.
This age group has a higher rate of hospital stays and flu-related deaths than younger people do.
Studies have shown that high-dose flu vaccines help prevent flu-related hospital stays better than standard-dose vaccines, and recipients have higher antibody levels to fight the virus, according to Mayo Clinic.
Where to get a flu vaccine in NC
You can visit any of the following places for flu vaccines in NC:
▪ Pharmacies: Walk in or schedule appointments at national pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens. You can also inquire with local neighborhood pharmacies.
▪ Grocery and big box stores: Walk in or schedule appointments at stores like Walmart, Target, Harris Teeter, Publix and Carlie C’s.
▪ Your healthcare provider: Of course, you can contact your doctor for an appointment.
How to avoid the flu
Masking, getting vaccinated, washing your hands frequently, sneezing in your arm and staying home when you are sick are all effective ways to avoid catching and spreading the flu, Mehrotra said.
There are simple and effective oral antiviral therapies for the flu, but you need to start them early. You only have 48 hours from the earliest symptoms for flu cases.
The News & Observer’s Kimberly Tutuska contributed to this story.
This story was originally published February 21, 2025 at 11:40 AM with the headline "Flu is spreading rapidly in NC. Is February too late to get a vaccine? We asked a doctor."
