Clark County’s influenza season is officially over, local health officials said Wednesday.
This year’s flu season, which began in late January and lasted about 17 weeks, peaked in early April. During that time, Clark County had seven flu-associated deaths, and at least 485 lab-confirmed flu cases were reported. There were four flu outbreaks in long-term care facilities, according to Clark County Public Health.
“The risk of getting influenza now is pretty darn low,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and public health director. “I’m not recommending that folks get vaccinated at this point for the 2015-2016 season. … I just don’t see it coming back.”
This season’s flu vaccine was a good match to circulating viruses and was estimated to be 59 percent effective, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By contrast, the 2014-15 vaccine was only 19 percent effective, meaning it reduced a person’s risk of needing medical care for flu illness by 19 percent.
The flu shot provides protection against three or four strains of the virus, depending on the type of vaccine. This year, there were primarily two strains of viruses circulating, and one of them was included in the seasonal vaccine.
