© 2024 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace
Buffalo, NY 14202

Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
WBFO Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Your NPR Station
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

With flu season arriving, health commissioner urges people to get shots

While the Erie County Health Department will not begin its formal surveillance of influenza until October 1, the health commissioner is urging the public to get ahead on the flu season by getting a shot.

Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein says both adults and children should be vaccinated. She says many who may be holding back due to perceived conditions may still be able to receive it safely.

"We know there are very, very few contraindiciations to flu vaccine," Burstein said. "People who have egg allergies can get immunized. People immunocompromised can get immunized. Women that are pregnant can and should get immunized. We're hoping our community really steps up this year and gets immunized to keep those numbers down."

Flu cases were higher last winter and Burstein acknowledged the higher number of pediatric flue deaths last season. Nationwide, 171 childred died as the result of influenza infection. It was the largest number of fatalities since 2009 and, according to Burstein, the second-largest number since they were recorded.

But she pointed out another factor in most juvenile deaths.

"At least 80 percent of those children who died of influenza were not immunized."

Children receiving the vaccine for the first time, Burstein noted, need two doses one month apart.

Michael Mroziak is an experienced, award-winning reporter whose career includes work in broadcast and print media. When he joined the WBFO news staff in April 2015, it was a return to both the radio station and to Horizons Plaza.
Related Content