MADISON, Wis. — Flu and cold season is in full swing here in Wisconsin.
According to a report released by the Department of Health Services (DHS), there have been 3,785 people hospitalized this year from the flu.
That number is up from 2,155 the year before.
Thad Schumacher, owner of Fitchburg Family Pharmacy, said the number of prescriptions they are filling for treating things like the flu and COVID are up.
“I think it is important that people know it is not too late to get a flu shot or COVID shot if they qualify for one,” said Schumacher.
Schumacher said it is normal for sicknesses to increase during this time of year. He said what is not normal is the low number of people getting vaccinated.
“The number of people getting vaccines is down, and so, we need more people to think about getting vaccinated,” said Schumacher.
According to DHS, 33% of Wisconsinites have received at least one dose of the flu vaccine.
So far this year, there have been two flu related deaths in Wisconsin.
He said increasing the vaccination rate helps to prevent deaths.
Schumacher believes following the COVID-19 pandemic people are fatigued from getting so many vaccines.
“Remember that it is not so much about your own health but about the patients that can’t get vaccinated, the people that have immune deficiencies that are at risk,” said Schumacher.