High flu activity in Pennsylvania. All employees urged to get vaccinated.

Seasonal influenza activity is high throughout in Pennsylvania and increasing. The predominant type in Central PA is influenza A—specifically H3N2. Flu seasons dominated by H3N2 activity have traditionally been more severe.

Any employees who have not yet received a flu vaccine this season are encouraged to schedule one now through their primary care provider or by visiting vaccines.gov to find a pharmacy, grocery store or urgent care center offering the vaccinations near them. It is particularly important for health care personnel to get vaccinated to protect not only themselves but also the vulnerable populations within the health system’s hospitals and practice sites who are at risk for severe illness.

Employees who receive their flu shots outside of the health system should upload documentation of their vaccination to Employee Health through ReadySet EHR.

All Penn State Health Medical Group practice sites have flu vaccines available to their patients. Staff should direct patients, family members and friends who wish to be vaccinated to their primary care provider or to vaccines.gov to schedule their vaccinations.

The annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against flu and its potentially serious complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine to protect themselves and those around them.

Physical distancing, mask wearing and decreased traveling likely contributed to a greatly reduced circulation of influenza viruses last winter. With less social and community restrictions during this flu season and the lack of infection-related immunity over the past two years, the influenza viruses are expected to circulate more widely this season. There is also concern that people may get sick from the flu and COVID-19.

Flu vaccines are manufactured well in advance of flu season and are designed to protect against four chosen strains of influenza—two A and two B strains—that are predicted to dominate during the upcoming season. Even when there is a mismatch between one or more circulating strains and those in the vaccine, like there is this season, the flu vaccine has been shown to decrease significantly the risk for severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths in people who are infected.

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