Utica (WSYR-TV) – Health Department officials are reporting a rise in flu cases in Oneida County.
According to the department, 94 confirmed cases of influenza have been reported in Onieda County within the last week.
This is weeks before last year’s first reported case, which came in late December.
Officials are urging everyone to get their flu shoots right away. It takes two weeks to develop immunity after receiving the vaccine.
The Oneida County Health Department is offering the flu vaccine through its Utica site at 406 Elizabeth St. and the Rome site at 300 W. Dominic St.
The Utica clinic is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
The Rome clinic holds a walk-in clinic on Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m.
For those not covered by Medicare, Medicare Part B or any other accepted private insurance, the cost will be $25.
According to health officials the vaccine does not guarantee immunity, but those who have been vaccinated tend to have less severe symptoms and the condition tends to last a shorter period of time.
There are several measures that can be taken to help curb the flu including frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes with the bend of your arm, and staying home if you feel symptoms coming on.
More information is available at the
health department's website.
