That order for 75,000 vaccine doses has been received and we are distributing it to nursing homes in the state. Schafer says local health departments have also apparently gotten their doses delivered, but he has no idea of the situation in employee health clinics or doctor's offices. Last year we had an early peak around Christmas. Obviously, we hope it doesn't start in October because there could be problems for the general population. Potentially exacerbating such a problem is a lowering this year of the recommended age for getting a flu shot from 65 to 50.
Prevention is a difficult thing.
The virus is airborne and highly infectious. So if possible , spend as little time as possible in crowded places. And there's no guarantee of bucking the flu even if you get the shot. Kristine Smith, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Public Health, got whacked by the bug last year while on a train ride back to Albany. And she had been immunized.