ROCHESTER, N.Y. – So far, New York State has recorded 600 flu cases less than two weeks since the official start of the season. News10NBC talked to one local doctor who warns not to wait to get vaccinated. Doctors say after getting the flu shot it takes about a week for it to kick in.
“We’re expecting a big flu season this year, and want to be prepared for it,” said Trillium Health’s Dr. William Valenti. He says that means getting vaccinated, particularly because there are concerns about new flu strains.
“They’re warning us to get prepared because people travel with close contact with each other, and that kind of virus spreads pretty quickly. The flu virus, like Covid, is spread through the air so it’s pretty contagious, and harmful to unvaccinated people,” said Valenti.
News10NBC spent some time Monday on Park Avenue to find out if people are making time to get their shots.
Maria Paris said, “Definitely, because its preventative, and I want to be healthy, and I don’t want to have any side effects.”
Margaret Talmadge added, “I haven’t done it yet. I’m still on the fence on it. There’s a possibility I could, possibility I will not, but yeah it’s something I’m weighing in on. I just, yeah I haven’t made that decision yet.”
Doctors say New York City, the Capital District, and Central New York are the current flu hotspots. So far there have been 600 confirmed cases statewide.
“This is a good time to get the flu vaccine and not wait,” said Dr. Valenti. He continued, “Many people like to wait until later in the season, because the protection of the flu vaccine doesn’t always last for the whole year, but it maybe a little shorter. The idea though is you want to be able to have protection when you need it, and this is the time to do it.”
According to Dr. Valenti, there have been no reported deaths from the flu locally this season.