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Eau Claire City County Health Department- January Communicable Disease Update

January Communicable

Disease Updates

 

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Respiratory viruses surge

Flu

 

Flu levels are high and stable in western Wisconsin, according to state respiratory data.

 

We're seeing flu circulate at high levels in our area. Since October 1, 49 people have been hospitalized with the flu in Eau Claire County.

 

COVID-19

 

Across the western Wisconsin region, state data indicates that COVID-19 activity is low and decreasing. However, COVID levels in Eau Claire's wastewater are currently high.

 

Although many of us won't get seriously ill if we get COVID or the flu, some people - especially babies and older adults - are more likely to get very sick and need to be hospitalized if they catch one of these viruses.

 

You can reduce your chances of getting sick by:

 

  • Taking advantage of flu and COVID vaccines
  • Washing your hands often
  • Staying away from people who are sick, whenever possible

 

If you do get sick, stay home. 

 

See below for a snapshot of respiratory illness in western Wisconsin:

Source: Wisconsin Respiratory Virus Data dashboard

Health Department, state continue to recommend AAP childhood vaccine schedule
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Eau Claire City-County Health Department will continue to recommend the evidence-based childhood vaccine schedule published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

 

This recommendation comes after the federal government modified the national childhood vaccine schedule on January 5, 2026, further straying from alignment with America's leading medical associations and organizations.

 

People still have choices about which vaccines they and their families receive, and all are still able to use the previous childhood vaccine schedule. Private insurers and Wisconsin Medicaid will continue to cover vaccines.

 

The following statement from Eau Claire City-County Health Officer/Health Department Director Lieske Giese was released in response to the announcement:

 

“Along with many other public health organizations, we are deeply concerned about the new childhood vaccine schedule from the federal government. This change deviates from the process by which vaccines have typically been added or removed from the national vaccine schedule. We will continue to recommend individuals and health care providers follow the evidence-based childhood vaccine schedule recommended by the state of Wisconsin and published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

 

“Vaccines save lives, and they’re critical to the health of people in our community. Individuals will continue to have choices about what vaccines they and their families receive. People in Eau Claire should continue to talk with their health care provider if they have questions.”

 

Read more from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services by clicking here.

COVID and flu shots are still available

To get a flu vaccine: Reach out to your pharmacy or health care provider to make an appointment. Anyone 6 months and older can get a flu vaccine.

 

To get a COVID vaccine: Call your doctor, the place where you receive health care, or your local pharmacy to confirm they're offering COVID vaccines.

 

Will my insurance cover the shot? This season's COVID vaccine should still be covered by private health insurance plans, Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare. We recommend calling your insurance company to confirm they're covering the 2025-26 COVID vaccine.

 

If you're six months or older and want to receive a COVID vaccine but are having problems getting one, call the Health Department at 715-839-4718 for assistance.