ND health officials plug flu shots

North Dakota health officials want you to roll up your sleeve again….this time for influenza.

Last year the state identified 244 lab confirmed cases of influenza – a record low.  Health officials attribute the small number to preventative measures taken to prevent COVID – including masking.  The department says during the three previous years North Dakota averaged between seven-thousand and twelve- thousand confirmed cases.

Governor Doug Burgum says vaccines work.  Burgum says it’s hard to imagine a time when measles killed 530-thousand people a year….mumps 162-thousand… and pertussis 200-thousand.  The governor says not only do vaccines improve health but they lower the cost of health care.  “Vaccines have made an incredible impact on health care.”

State Health Officer Dr. Nizar Wehbi says a flu shot is your best line of defense.  “It reduces your risk of catching or spreading the flu and hospitalization.”

North Dakota’s flu season typically runs from October to May with peak cases showing up between January and March.