During the pandemic, it seems like the flu was put on the back burner as COVID-19 took center stage. However, the flu was still circulating.
Alaska Immunization Program Manager Matthew Bobo said last year’s flu season in Alaska saw less cases than normal.
“Each flu season is different and it’s hard to predict even one flu season,” Bobo said.
He said the decrease in flu cases could have been for many reasons. He said a contributing factor could be the pandemic precautions people were taking. “As people were staying inside more and not going out-and-about, there was less influenza circling,” Bobo said.
According to Bobo, it is important to prevent getting sick since influenza can lead to hospitalization.
He said the flu season starts in late August and goes through March or April, but Alaska sees the flu all year long, adding that it is mainly because of tourists visiting in the summer.