ALTOONA - As the flu virus spreads across the country many in Central Pennsylvania are deciding to get this season's flu vaccine.
"In terms of volume, especially this time of year this is the most I've seen," said Doctor Daniel Enck, a Pharmacist at Walgreens in Altoona.
"People are definitely getting sick," he added. "More frequently than in recent years."
According to the latest information from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Centre County currently has the most reported flu cases in the WTAJ viewing area.
To prevent the current flu strand from spreading, the Dept. of Health is recommending the flu vaccine.
"We're giving the Fluvirin flu shot," Enck said. "The CDC determines every year what's going to be the prevalent flu strain for each area of the U.S. and this is the type that's prevalent in our area."
Enck cleared up a misconception that there's a chance this particular flu vaccine could make people sick.
"The injection is a completely inactive vaccine," he said. "That means it's dead, it cannot replicate and it won't give you the flu."
Enck added as with most flu vaccines, it takes the body about two weeks to fully build all the defenses necessary against the flu.
"Now is the time to get a vaccine," he said.
Since Jan. 1st, the Dept. of Health has reported that 18 Pennsylvanians have died of flu-related illnesses, a significant jump since the flu season officially began back in September.
Since the flu season began in September, there have been 22 flu-related deaths in Pennsylvania.
For more flu statistics and flu prevention information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health's website here...
