Walgreens tracks the uptick in flu incidence that the CDC warned about
DEERFIELD, Ill. - While flu activity remains relatively low across most of the U.S., The Walgreens Flu Index data is tracking increased flu activity in the South and Midwest regions. Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they expect flu activity to peak in the coming weeks and recommend everyone over the age of six months get their flu vaccination now, as it takes up to two weeks to build up full immunity following a flu shot.
Flu season most often peaks in February in the U.S., Walgreens reported.
The top 10 markets for the week of Jan. 31 in terms of measured flu activity were:
Harlingen – Weslaco-Brownsville – McAllen, Texas;
Tallahassee, Fla. – Thomasville, Ga.;
El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.);
Tucson (Sierra Vista), Ariz.;
Miami – Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.;
Phoenix (Prescott), Ariz.;
Las Vegas;
Oklahoma City;
Beaumont – Port Arthur, Texas; and
Dallas – Ft. Worth, Texas.
The top 10 markets in terms of flu activity gains were:
Tallahassee, Fla. – Thomasville, Ga.;
Harlingen – Weslaco – Brownsville – McAllen, Texas;
El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.);
Tucson (Sierra Vista), Ariz.;
Memphis, Tenn.;
Joplin, Mo. – Pittsburg, Kan.;
Phoenix (Prescott), Ariz.;
Myrtle Beach – Florence, S.C.;
Orlando – Daytona Beach – Melbourne, Fla.; and
Monterey – Salinas, Calif.
The Walgreens Flu Index is a weekly report developed to provide state- and market-specific information, and ranking of those experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country. The Flu Index does not provide data measuring actual levels or severity of flu activity, but rather, illustrates which populations are experiencing the most incidences each week based on Index methodology.