ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and metro Atlanta doctors are warning that flu cases are on the rise, especially in the youngest patients.

“When the flu hits, it hits hard, and this year is really hitting very fast,” said Dr. Helena Bentley, a pediatrician and owner of Kid Care Pediatrics. “This year has been particularly heavy from what we normally see.”

Bentley said this year she is seeing more kids and sicker kids than in previous years. She attributes the change to the growing anti-vaccine movement.

“When we increase non-vaxxers, we’re not taking into account of all of these things that can rapidly spread among our population,” she explained. “Last year, I had to send back over 200 doses of flu vaccine that we already paid for in advance. This year we didn’t order as much, but we’re not even giving that out.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia’s flu activity thus far is in the “very high” category.

Nationwide, the CDC estimates that at least 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths have been related to the flu so far this season. On Wednesday, DeKalb County announced its flu-related 911 calls have increased about 60% in the past few weeks.

“I think Georgia, we’re unique. Of course, we got the busiest airport in the world, and so we got patients and families coming in and out,” Bentley said. “But you still got all of those people in the suburbs, in the rural areas, that may not have access to care. And folks who don’t have access to care, it’s really, really hard for them to get a vaccine.”

Bentley said flu subtypes and virus mutations may also contribute to more cases. She said that is why vaccinations are crucial.

“We have new strains that’s always coming up that we cannot predict. Where the vaccines we generally trying to prevent what we think is gonna be the four most common types out there, but we don’t know until the season comes,” Bentley explained. “Because what may happen, even though it’s a subclass with the protection that you do have from the vaccine, it can decrease the severity, it can decrease the amount of days that you may be sick. It can decrease your spread to others.”

At Children’s Health Care of Atlanta, Dr. Andi Shane, the medical director of epidemiology, said in a statement to Atlanta News First that last week they tested nearly 1,200 patients. Half of those with respiratory symptoms had the flu.

“We don’t take things as serious as we need to until it happens,” Bentley said. “Get vaccinated. And get vaccinated early.”

For those who choose not to be vaccinated, doctors said it’s especially important to wash your hands often and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. For everyone who is sick, doctors advise staying home and away from others.

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