The flu season has gotten off to a rough start with several cases being reported across the state.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf says Influenza A has been the primary illness that people have contracted of the different variations of the flu. She points out most people will be okay if they contract Influenza A, but it can be more serious for those individuals with underlying or chronic health issues such as asthma and heart disease, which can then advance to pneumonia or another serious illness, and even death. 

Wolf notes that only 36-percent of Greene County is vaccinated against the flu. She talks about why it’s important to always get the annual flu shot.

“You need to get your flu shot every year because of the fact that the vaccine changes according to what the predictions of the strains will be that we’ll hit. Luckily, this year we’ve got a good match, or a better match than some other years.”

Wolf adds flu shots are available at several locations, including primary care physicians, clinics and pharmacies. The peak flu season is January through February.