Meck County Health Director Expects More Flu Cases

CHARLOTTE, NC — Health officials in North Carolina are reporting four new flu deaths tonight.

Mecklenburg County had 11 reported flu deaths last year through November.

The county health director says this flu season hasn’t peaked yet, and that the current vaccine is not as effective as years past.

But despite all that, you should still get one.

“We require our staff to have flu shots at the health department,” says Mecklenburg County Health Director Gibbie Harris. “And I have staff who have had the flu, even though they’ve had a flu shot.”

Harris is still encouraging people to get the vaccine. And urging people to do the things your mother told you to do.

“Wash their hands,” says Margarita Montano. “You know be clean. Any coughing, cover your mouth. Just regular basic things.”

Montano is a mother of four, with children attending school near Carmel Christian in South Charlotte, a school that has canceled classes after a flu outbreak.

But she is not getting her kids vaccinated.

“No,” she says. “Just for reasons. Side effects, things like that. I don’t want them to get worse, or anything like that. So I’d rather just do, stay with my remedy.”

“I definitely have the flu shots for them,” says Aquiyah Akins about here children. “So that’s something I wish everybody would get.”

Akins gets her five kids vaccinated.

But the health department says this year’s batch is only 39% effective, which is much lower than usual.

That means staying home from school or work if sick, trying not to spread the virus.

“A lot of stuff you can’t do to prevent it,” says Akins. “Just happens. You can be the healthiest child and still get it, so it’s very concerning, and it’s scary.”

One of the problems facing health professionals is a recent study published in the British Medical Journal claiming flu vaccine dangers, turning some away from getting one.

“That study has been debunked,” says Harris. “It was inaccurate. It was not based on good data. The problem is, it’s already out there, and it’s hard to take it back.”

It is hard to get concrete numbers on flu cases in North Carolina, because it’s not a reportable disease. But cases are widespread, with all counties being impacted.

In Mecklenburg County, there have been six outbreaks in long-term care facilities, like nursing homes, and the one at Carmel Christian School.