One of the few benefits of the COVID-19 pandemic was a dramatic decrease in flu cases, as many of the measures used to prevent COVID-19 were even better at protecting people against flu.
But those measures, including face masks and social distancing, are being discarded due to COVID fatigue and the less virulent omicron variants.
Does that mean we can expect a severe flu season in 2022-23? Local doctors and health officials said they aren't sure.
"On the plus side are all these mitigation efforts we have developed to deal with COVID," said Dr. Christopher Clark, Saint Vincent Hospital president. "We have more knowledge of how viruses like COVID and influenza spread."
"We learned that wearing a face mask can be very effective at reducing flu cases, even more than COVID cases," said Dr. Ivan Loker, a physician with UPMC Hamot's Harborcreek Family Physicians.
Fewer people are wearing face masks and avoiding indoor gatherings than they were in 2020 and 2021, however, which could lead to a spike in flu cases. Countries in the southern hemisphere like Australia, which is just ending its flu season, saw a dramatic increase in cases, according to USA TODAY.
More:Flu may be coming back with a vengeance, experts say, and children could be at risk
Erie County was in the midst of a record-breaking flu season when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in February 2020. The Erie County Department of Health reported an all-time high of 4,449 cases during the 2019-20 season, even though virtually none were reported after February when strict COVID-19 mitigation measures were enacted.
Only 14 flu cases were reported during the 2020-21 flu season, which occurred during the area's initial COVID-19 surge. It is the county's lowest total since flu became a reportable disease in 2003.
The county's number of cases rose to 1,926 in the 2021-22 season, with a majority of those cases reported in the spring of this year after many COVID-19 mitigation measures were repealed or reduced.
"We don't know if it will be a tough year for flu but we strongly recommend that anyone eligible for flu vaccine should get it," said Charlotte Berringer, R.N., director of community health services for the county health department.
Berringer said all flu vaccines will protect against four different flu strains, two type A and two type B. In the past, some vaccines protected against three strains while others protected against four strains.
It's not known how effective this year's vaccine will be, Berringer said. Last year's vaccine was only 16% effective at reducing the risk of flu, well below the typical rate of 40% to 60%.
"It is still worth getting. And, if you're 65 or older, it is recommended to get a high-dose flu vaccine," Berringer said. "Older people often have more difficulty achieving a protective immune response from vaccines and this is a population vulnerable to hospitalizations and deaths due to flu complications."
The LECOM Institute for Successful Aging will host its annual flu vaccine clinic Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Zem Zem Shrine Club, 2525 W. 38th St. Flu vaccine will be available to those 5 and older, with no upfront cost.
LECOM Health will host 50 vaccine clinics around the area in September and October. To see a schedule, visit lecomisaging.com/flu.
Other health systems and pharmacies will host flu vaccine clinics, including the Erie Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 135 E. 38th St. It will hold free drive-through clinics for eligible veterans on Sept. 17 and 24 from 9 a.m. to noon each day. For more information, visit va.gov/erie-health-care/events/48843.
No registration is needed for the LECOM Health or Erie VAMC vaccine clinics.
Contact David Bruce at dbruce@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNBruce.