(WKYT) – Flu season is just getting started in Kentucky. The Franklin County Health Department says its influenza vaccine supply arrived a little late this year, but its stockpile is in good shape. Statewide flu numbers are trending up slightly, while COVID-19 cases are flattening out after an earlier increase.
Flu curve starting to rise
Judy Mattingly, public health director for the Franklin County Health Department, said the state’s flu curve is beginning to rise.
“In Kentucky, we are just now, last week, starting to see our curve come up. You know, it was a flat, stable line, and the flu is just now starting to get that tail end to curve up a little bit,” Mattingly said.
Mattingly showed a statewide graph tracking flu cases back to 2025. The graph’s most up-to-date line shows a slow uptick in cases.
“I think that a lot of people have heard the saying, you know, flu before boo. You definitely want to get your flu shot before the Halloween season starts,” Mattingly said.
Vaccine supply in stock
Vaccines are in stock at the health department. This year’s vaccine covers three strains.
Mattingly said flu-related deaths and hospitalizations remain a concern nationally.
“I’m always concerned about the flu, knowing that approximately 45,000 people die a year from the flu across the nation, and usually that is those who have chronic illnesses, but beyond that, there are hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations every year due to the flu,” Mattingly said.
Pediatric cases emerging
Dr. Lauren Kostelnik, owner of Child First Urgent Care and Pediatrics in Lexington, said flu cases are beginning to appear among children.
“We’re starting to see it trickle into the childhood population. For sure, here in the urgent care setting, we probably see a little bit more than I think in primary care,” Kostelnik said.
Kostelnik’s Hamburg office has seen about 10 flu cases so far this season.
“I think starting this soon is an indicator that the virus could be something that we are going to see a lot of this year,” Kostelnik said.
Benefits of early vaccination
Kostelnik said there are benefits to getting a flu shot early in the season.
“It’ll give your body time to make antibodies that will help protect you from severe complication if you were to get the flu anyway,” Kostelnik said.
RSV remains a concern
Kostelnik said that among the three major respiratory viruses — flu, COVID-19 and RSV — RSV concerns her most, particularly for young children.
“In the very young children, like two and under, RSV worries me the most, and there is an RSV vaccine as well for kids in their very first year of life, so that one I think is extremely important as well for the little babies,” Kostelnik said.
Hygiene recommendations
Health experts say now is a good time to practice good hygiene, including covering coughs, washing hands and staying home when sick. COVID-19 cases increased throughout Kentucky but are now flattening out.
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