Flu Widespread In NY; Highest Rate In The Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Flu activity is already considered widespread across New York, with state health officials reporting nearly 700 flu-related hospitalizations and one child death. That includes cases in the Hudson Valley, according to a state Department of Health tracker.

In New York, Rockland County had the highest rate of flu cases at 20.26 per 100,000 people.

The Rockland County Health Department holds a flu vaccine clinic from 11 a.m. to noon on Fridays until March 27, by appointment only. Call 845-364-2534 for more information and to make an appointment.

Kings County had the highest number of cases at 285, followed by Bronx County at 217.

The flu is most prevalent in central New York and downstate, including the lower Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island. The majority of cases involve the A strain.

Here's the breakdown by county for the Hudson Valley:

• Rockland: 66 cases. Rate: 20.26 per 100,000 people
• Westchester: 58. Rate: 5.99 per 100,000
• Orange: 10; 2.62 per 100,000
• Putnam: 1; 1.01 per 100,000
• Dutchess: 3; 1.02 per 100,000
• Ulster: 1; 0.56 per 100,000

The figures were last reported for the week ending Nov. 30. Across the state, the case rate was 5.89 per 100,000 people, an increase of nearly 60 percent from the previous week.

Flu season mainly encompasses the period from October through May. Over the last three seasons, 20 children have died from flu, state officials said. Each season averages about 18,352 flu-related hospitalizations in the state.

The recent uptick in cases led Howard Zucker, the state health commissioner, to declare flu prevalent. This means health care workers who do not get vaccinated must wear surgical or procedure masks in areas where there are typically patients.

"Getting vaccinated remains the best way for all New Yorkers to protect against the flu, and it is vital for caregivers who come in contact with patients to get vaccinated to help prevent the spread of flu," Zucker said in a news release last week. "The requirement that unvaccinated healthcare personnel wear a mask is intended to protect patients from getting the flu because healthcare workers can pose a risk to vulnerable patients by transmitting influenza, which often causes serious complications."

State health officials recommend everyone ages 6 months and older get a flu shot, particularly those at high risk for flu-related complications such as children under 2, pregnant women and adults over 65. People with conditions such as asthma and heart disease are also at greater risk, as are people with weakened immune systems stemming from disease or medications such as chemotherapy or chronic steroid use.

The flu virus spreads easily by coughing and sneezing.

The flu vaccine has faced criticism in recent years due to its varying rates of effectiveness. Reviews of past studies have found that, on average, the flu vaccine is about 50 percent to 60 percent effective for healthy adults between 18 and 64. But the vaccine can be less effective.

But even in cases where the vaccine doesn't completely prevent the flu, it can lessen the severity of the illness — and the risk of serious complications, according to the Mayo Clinic.

"Getting an influenza vaccine — though not 100 percent effective — is the best way to prevent the misery of the flu and its complications," the clinic wrote on its website.

It takes up to two weeks to build immunity after a flu shot, which is why doctors and nurses are encouraged to begin giving out the vaccine in August. It's usually best for Americans to get the vaccine by late October.

Most health insurance plans cover flu vaccines, though people without health insurance can check with county health officials to see if local clinics will provide free or low-cost vaccines.

In Rockland County, the Health Department will be giving the flu vaccine on Fridays, until March 27, from 11 a.m. to noon, by appointment only. Call (845) 364-2534 for more information and to make an appointment.

"Anyone who hasn't gotten a flu vaccine yet should do so now. It takes about two weeks after getting the flu vaccine for your body to build the antibodies (infection-fighting cells) it needs to protect from the flu," said County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert.

The Health Department is offering the flu vaccine free of charge if you:

• are 65 years and older. (please bring identification with proof of age.)
• have Medicare or Medicaid. (please bring your card.)
• or are uninsured or underinsured.

There is a $20 fee for those six months through 64 years old. Only cash or checks will be accepted. For those with private health insurance, the health department will provide you with a receipt to submit to your health insurance for possible reimbursement.

The Health Department is giving the quadrivalent flu vaccine, which does not contain preservatives, including thimerosal. The vaccine is called quadrivalent because it offers protection against four different flu virus strains that research shows will be most common during this flu season: two influenza (flu) A virus strains and two influenza B virus strains. It is recommended that you wait for 15 minutes after being vaccinated so you can be observed for any reaction.

For more information about the flu and the flu vaccine, visit Rockland's Influenza (Flu) page or for additional places to get your flu vaccine, visit www.flu.gov/.

By Daniel Hampton, Patch Staff. Patch Editor Lanning Taliaferro contributed to this report.