County officials remind residents to get their flu shots, as the season fast approaches. Between 50-60% of residents are regularly vaccinated against the highly preventable illness.
Mid- to late October is the time of year when flu begins to appear in the region.
Although there hasn’t been a confirmed case of the disease this year, spokesperson for the Monroe County Department of Public Health, John Ricci said the flu is on its way.
“The flu vaccine is recommended pretty much universally for everyone six months of age or older. So, unless you have some sort of specific allergy to influenza vaccine, really everyone should get a flu shot every year,” said Ricci.
Although other communicable diseases are getting more attention, Ricci explained the flu is common, preventable, and potentially dangerous.
“Certainly, a person's exposure and risks of contracting influenza far, far outweighs the likelihood of anyone being exposed to Ebola, at least in the United States,” said Ricci.
According to Ricci, hundreds of thousands of Americans are hospitalized with the flu each year.