LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Flu cases are up over 15% while COVID-19 cases are down around 5% in Kentucky, according to data from the last week of 2023 .

"I don't know if there's any kids left to get infected it's really bad," said Dr. Michael Kuduk, president of the Kentucky Medical Association.

Kuduk, a pediatrician, said the flu is starting to increase worse than COVID. This year, Kuduk has seen a handful of children in the hospital from the flu, which is something he doesn't see every year.

In Kentucky, flu-related hospitalizations up are up nearly 48%. Kuduk said the symptoms of this year's strain are mainly a high fever and body aches. 

"The flu particularly, this is a bad bug, it's going to kill people," Kuduk said.

Vaccine makers predict the flu strain months ahead of time. Kudak said sometimes they get it wrong, but that's not the case this year.

"They guessed right on this one," Kuduk said. "This particular influenza A has had the same surface codes for years and years.

"If you have the flu vaccine you won't get the flu A that's circulating."

While Kuduk said the flu is largely preventable, since the pandemic he's seen an increase in distrust of vaccines.

"More parents are concerned to vaccinate their children, they're concerned about developmental issues," said Kuduk. 

Kuduk said these concerns are largely unfounded.

He said it is not too late to get a flu vaccine. 

"The next three to four weeks there's going to be a lot of people getting sick," said Kuduk. 

For more information about symptoms to look out for, what to do, and how to prevent the flu, click here for guidance from the CDC. To find a vaccine location near you click here.

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