North Carolina Flu Death Toll Now At 165

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Flu deaths in North Carolina rose by 17 last week, bringing the state's overall death toll as of Feb. 10 to 165 since flu season began in October, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

According to the CDC, the flu is widespread in 48 states while two states — Oregon and Hawaii — do not have widespread flu activity.

The death toll update for the Tar Heel state comes on the heels of a report that Charlotte is a national flu hotspot, with one of the most severe levels of influenza in the U.S.

The best protection against the flu is vaccination, and health officials have been stressing that it's not too late to get a flu shot. A CDC spokesperson told Patch that as of Jan. 2, 152.1 million doses of the flu vaccine have been distributed. Private manufacturers who produce the vaccine originally predicted that as many as 166 million doses of injectable flu vaccine would be made available for the current flu season.

SEE ALSO: Charlotte's Flu Severity Level Among Highest In US: Report

Vaccine shortages have been reported in some areas as the flu season drags on. The best way to find pharmacies providing the vaccine is to check at Vaccine Finder. The website reminds people to call and check with a vaccine provider location to ensure that the vaccine is available.

A representative for Vaccine Finder said the website does not offer a tool that shows whether the vaccine is available at a particular pharmacy; thus the warning notification on the website.

SEE ALSO: Flu Vaccine Supplies Running Low In NC: How To Find One

Patch Editor Shannon Antinori, The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo Credit: SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 22: Simone Groper receives a flu shot at a Walgreens pharmacy on January 22, 2018 in San Francisco, California. A strong strain of H3N2 influenza has claimed the lives of 74 Californians under the age of 65 since the flu season began in October of last year. People are being encouraged to get flu shots even through the vaccine has been only 30% effective in combating the influenza. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)