KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The flu is finally here, and it’s one the latest flu seasons in more than a decade. Children’s Mercy Hospital is reporting a near doubling of cases in the last week. The hospital has seen new 80 cases — compared to 42 the week before.

Beds are full now at that hospital, with flu cases climbing at the same time as another respiratory virus – Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Normally flu and RSV jump at different times in the winter, but not this year.

Dr. Mary Anne Jackson says we’ll likely see flu cases continue to rise over the next month.

“I don’t think we’re nearly, nearly at the peak, so the message here is ramping up disease, influenza A is accounting for 70 to 80 percent of our cases.  It tends to be the most severe type of influenza,” Dr. Jackson said.

She says the flu is hitting young and middle-aged adults especially hard. Those folks are less likely to have been vaccinated. She says this year’s vaccine is a great match for the strains out there, so if you haven’t had the shot, get it now.

Click on this link to find clinics with the flu vaccine near you.