LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– Health department officials say there were nearly 800 confirmed cases of the flu in Lexington alone last flu season, so starting Oct. 1 they will begin offering flu vaccines and hope people will get them sooner rather than later.
You can come by the health department from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The shot costs $30.
This year, health officials across the state came together to announce a new initiative called “Focus on Flu”, encouraging everyone to get vaccinated, and to get vaccinated early. This is to avoid an epidemic-level flu season like our state saw last year.
Nationwide the CDC considered last flu season the worst in four decades, with an estimated 80,000 deaths.
For those wondering if it’s too early to get vaccinated, the Lexington-Fayette County Commissioner of Health says now is a great time to get the shot, especially since it takes a couple weeks to take affect.
“The flu shot should have enough umpf to last, to produce enough immunity that will last through the entire flu season,” said Dr. Humbaugh.
If you want to wait just another week or so, the health department is doing a one day only free flu shot event on Oct. 11. That’s from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at their Newtown Pike location.
