Whatcom County had a deadly 2024 flu season. This year may be just as bad
This flu season could be as nasty as last year’s, where 17 Whatcom County residents died of influenza — more than all the flu deaths locally in the previous five years put together.
That’s partly because of lower flu vaccination rates and a “tricky” new strain of the respiratory virus.
This year’s dominant strain of influenza in the U.S. is a new H3N2 variant, one that is genetically different from the strain that was used to create this year’s flu vaccine. It mutated recently, after this year’s vaccine was made.
Even so, officials at the Whatcom County Department of Health and Community Services are urging local residents to get vaccinated now, as the rainy weather keeps more people inside and the holiday season brings more people together.
That’s a recipe for viral illnesses such as flu, Covid-19, RSV and the common cold.
“Some people might wonder if a mismatch between the flu vaccine and circulating flu strains is a reason not to get the vaccine, and the answer is that more protection is always better,” said Dr. Amy Harley, the county’s co-health officer. “Even if the vaccine isn’t perfect against this winter’s primary flu strains, it still offers powerful protection against severe illness, hospitalizations and death. It works by teaching your body to fight all flu viruses, and that protection makes a huge difference if you do get sick.”
This flu season, which runs October to October in the Northern Hemisphere, will have a “similar combined number of peak hospitalizations due to COVID-19, influenza, and RSV compared to last season,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Increased virus activity was seen during the winter season that’s ending in Australia. The United Kingdom, a harbinger for the cold and flu season, is seeing severe cases of flu.
Influenza often packs a bigger wallop than a simple cold and can be deadly, especially to the very young and the very old. All of Whatcom County’s flu deaths last year were among people 50 and older, Health Department spokeswoman Marie Junek told The Herald in an email.
Who should get the shot?
The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone age 6 months or older, Junek said. Full protections will develop after about two weeks.
Flu shots are available across Bellingham and Whatcom County, including: Doctor’s offices, pharmacies and community clinics such as Unity Care NW. Vaccine appointments for children can be made at Whatcom County Health and Community Services from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays by calling 360-778-6000.
Starting this year those who are between the ages of 2 and 49 can order the FluMist nasal flu vaccine by mail visiting the FluMist website.
Most insurance plans cover the cost of the flu shot. Call the Help Me Grow Washington hotline at 1-800-322-2588 for help finding a location.
How to stay healthy
In addition to getting vaccinated, these steps can slow the spread of all respiratory illnesses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the crook of your elbow.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Wear a mask in crowded indoor places.
This story was originally published November 24, 2025 at 5:20 AM.
