Flu arrives in Monroe County

There's no time like the present to get your flu shot if you haven't done so already.

“People who haven't gotten a flu shot should get out there and get their flu shot, it certainly obvious that we do have some influenza in the community and as a result, that does mean that we all are at some risk,” says Dr. Nancy Bennett, deputy director of the Monroe County Health Department.  

Monroe County is the only county in the Rochester-area region currently reporting flu cases. According to the New York State Health Department’s flu surveillance report, Monroe county reported its first cases in the week ending November 24th.

“We won't know for a few weeks whether this heralds the real beginning of the season or whether we'll see kind of a few isolates or whether it will be hit or miss for the next month or so," says Bennett.  

As far as getting vaccinated, public clinics may be a good choice for some because they are held weekly throughout the County. The flu clinics are currently reporting very low turnout so far this season whereas private practices are so busy with flu shots, some have run out of supplies temporarily.  Keep in mind, when the flu does hit full swing in our area, it will hang around throughout the community for six to eight weeks.

“In the last few years, we seem to be seeing a longer influenza season but also less severe,” says Bennett.

“We always encourage people to go to their doctor for their flu shot if they can because then their doctor knows they've had it can be sure that he's covering everyone in his practice,”  

For more information about flu shot clinics in your area call the Flu Shot Clinic Hotline: (585) 753-5600