VNA schedules more flu clinics

HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB) - New York State has now declared a public health emergency, over this year's growing flu epidemic. The order came from Governor Andrew Cuomo over the weekend. But what does this mean for you?

Doctors say, don’t get too close to someone with flu-like symptoms, because you might get it. To protect themselves, many western New Yorkers are getting a flu shot.

More than 19,000 people across New York are reported to have been sick with the flu so far this season, compared to 4,400 all last year. Many of the patients immunized at the Visiting Nursing Association’s flu clinic were kids.

Catherine Rouen’s son was getting a flu shot, and she said, “I think it's the right thing to do, as a parent, to help them be protected. It only makes sense, if they're available.”

Jeffrey Pittner was having his kids vaccinated, and said, “At school, when they're at school during the day, it's a germ fest. They pass germs to each other.”

Flu shots are about 60 to 70 percent effective. They’re not an absolute guarantee that your child won’t get the flu. Some have wondered about the safety of the dormant virus cells and other components in the vaccine.

Pittner said he had never had any issues with the flu shot.  Pittner said, “No, none at all. None at all. I think that's a fallacy. I don't think you can get sick by getting the flu shot. At least, that's what I'm told.”

The VNA has more scheduled flu clinics this week:

Monday 1/14            1pm-6pm         Wanakah Pharmacy, 4923 Lakeshore Rd, Hamburg
Tuesday 1/15           2pm-6pm         Tile Pharmacy, 1031 Cleveland Dr., Cheektowaga
Wednesday 1/16    2pm-6pm         Cy's Pharmacy, 2317 Bowen Rd, Elma
Friday 1/18              2pm-6pm         Boulevard Mall in the Sears Court