Kaiser Permanente is urging the public to get vaccinated as flu cases reach record highs in its urgent care facilities.

According to Kaiser, flu activity in Central California has risen sharply since November and is now at concerning levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently classifies California’s flu activity as “very high.”

Dr. Puja Vithalani, a Family Medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente Kern, stresses that vaccination remains the best protective measure. “This winter season has been probably one of the worst on record for the last four or five years, especially for the flu,” she said.

Kern County Public Health reports that flu cases are increasing both statewide and locally. As of February 7, Kern County’s flu positivity rate had risen to 22.01%, up from 19.04% the previous week. The county currently sits at a “moderate” influenza level.

“All of us are susceptible to these viruses,” Dr. Vithalani warns, reinforcing the importance of vaccination as the best defense.

Health officials continue to emphasize that flu shots are the most effective way to prevent severe illness and reduce strain on healthcare systems. They urge the public to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their communities.

Despite the surge in flu cases, there is a silver lining—RSV activity is low and declining, and COVID-19 cases are also on the decline, according to the California Department of Public Health.