CDC advises public to get a flu shot

CDC advises public to get a flu shot

Posted: Updated:
MYFOXNY.COM -

The rush is on at area hospitals, pharmacies and doctor's offices to get a flu vaccine.

The influenza outbreak continues to spread in the tri-state area, prompting Governor Cuomo to declare a health emergency. 

Nationally, public health officials say some places are experiencing shortages in flu vaccine. Patients have to wait on shipments to arrive but physicians are urging the public to search for the vaccine because it's still available. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the vaccine is 62 percent effective in preventing the flu and it takes two weeks for it to work – so now is the time to get a flu shot. 

Close to 130 million doses of flu vaccine have been distributed and so far at least 112 million have been used.

This year's strain, the H3N2 is particularly nasty, making people sicker a lot longer. 

Physicians caution everyone to wash their hands often and disinfect surfaces like computers and cellphones. 

The virus is easily spread on planes and trains, and common places like escalators, ATM's and even the handle at the gas pump.

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