The time to get a flu shot is now!

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Erie County workers lined up to make sure they don't fall victim to influenza this season.

The county held a special flu clinic for county employees and first responders at the fire training academy in Cheektowaga Thursday. The health department offered flu shots or sprays for those who signed up in advance. And with flu season coming, the vaccine to prevent catching it is already here.

Lisa Buckley gets a flu shot every year, as almost everyone older than six months should. The needle is very thin, and the shot usually doesn't hurt.

"No pain at all. I felt the needle go in, but it didn't hurt," Buckley said.

She's never had a problem. There are other misconceptions about flu shots.

RN Lisa Greisler said, "People are concerned that they'll get the flu from the flu shot, and of course, they can't - its a killed vaccine. It will only stimulate your body to make antibodies, so you can't get the flu from the flu shot at all."

The Visiting Nursing Association will give about 25,000 flu shots this year. And if it hurts, there are things you can do.

"You can use a little ice, you can use a cold washcloth; something on your arm afterwards and if your doctor allows you to take ibuprofen, a little ibuprofen might help that pain go away," Greisler said.

But most people won't have a problem. It might get sore for a day or two, but that's a whole lot better than 10 days of misery if you get influenza. And the time is now.

"It's very important that you get it to help stop the spread of flu, and it really is painless," Buckley said.

We don't know when the flu season will begin, we don't know when it will peak, and we don't know how bad it will be. But we do know how to prevent it. Don't wait!