Maricopa County confirms first flu death of 2015-16 season

PHOENIX — The first flu death of the 2015-16 season has been reported in Maricopa County, health officials said Tuesday.

The victim, a woman in her 70s, had underlying medical conditions when she was hospitalized for the flu.

“Influenza is a big deal,” Maricopa County Department of Public Health Director Dr. Bob England said in a release. “Every year, right here in our community, hundreds of people will die from complications caused by the flu, and thousands will be hospitalized.”

England said the death is a tragic reminder that people — especially those who are older, younger or have other medical conditions — should get their flu shot.

“In other words, if you live with Grandma, in order to protect her, it’s more important for you and everyone else around her to be vaccinated than it is for her to get the vaccine herself,” he said in the release.

“And if you don’t live with an elderly person, or an infant, or an asthmatic child, or someone with diabetes, you can bet that your coworkers or clients or neighbors do,” he continued.

Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this year’s vaccine should be more effective after last winter’s misery from a nasty surprise strain of virus.

Don’t let a fear of needles stop you. Beyond the traditional shots, the squeamish for the first time could try a needle-free injection, or choose the nasal spray or tiny skin-deep needles that have been around for a while.

All told, at least 171 million doses of flu vaccine are expected this year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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