It's not quite an epidemic, but the flu is now officially considered widespread across Montgomery County, according to Pennsylvania state officials. And so county officials are urging residents who have not been vaccinated yet to do so as quickly as possible.
The needle may be why so many people skip the flu vaccine. But this winter, that's turning out to be a big mistake. "Look, it's serious, and we're seeing the flu peak earlier, we're seeing it impact a lot of people. 560 known cases in Montgomery County, unfortunately three deaths," Josh Shapiro, the chairman of the Montgomery County Commissioners told Fox 29.
State health officials expect the flu to keep spreading in the weeks to come. But it's already taking a toll. "It's pretty bad," 14-year-old Kelley Repsik insisted. "There was a girl in my homeroom, she was in the hospital for like a day because her fever went up really high." Her sister also attends Indian Valley Middle School in Souderton. "We had six kids in class the other day," Bethany Repsik said. And there's only 12 students in her math class, which meant half the class was out with the flu. "We couldn't do anything because we were missing so many kids."
The twin Repsik sisters skipped school Thursday afternoon so their dad could take them to get their flu shots. Their mom insisted on it. "I have a singing recital coming up, so if I get sick and I get the flu, then I won't be able to do it," Kelley Repsik said. "So she was like, go and get your shot."
Montgomery County officials want more people to do the same. The county is offering free vaccines at their facility in Norristown, and in Pottstown and Willow Grove. The county's health department director says we haven't seen the worst of it. "Probably not," Dr. Joseph DiMino told Fox 29. "Now flu can go into May, into mid-May. So, it's never too late to get your flu shot."
County officials say the vaccine is 90 percent effective against several strains of flu. So even if you've had the flu, it was only one strain. You still will want to get vaccinated to get protection against the other strains.
Babies are among the most vulnerable to the flu. Infants under six months of age are too young to receive the vaccine. Health experts say that's why it's so important that everyone else in the home get vaccinated against the flu, to provide the baby with as much protection as possible.
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:50 AM EDT2013-05-16 15:50:32 GMT
Parents, ever wonder what kind of crazy stuff your kids are trying when you're not around? Some are harmless. But we'll show you a few that are really dangerous.
Parents, ever wonder what kind of crazy stuff your kids are trying when you're not around? Some are harmless. But we'll show you a few that are really dangerous.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 5:49 PM EDT2013-05-14 21:49:13 GMT
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer.
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer. Jolie's not the first woman to do it, but she may be the most high profile. Her decision is touching off a serious conversation about the preventive measure.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:08:49 GMT
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.If you were lucky enough to get outside Friday, to a place like the Perkiomen
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 5:49 PM EDT2013-05-14 21:49:13 GMT
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer.
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer. Jolie's not the first woman to do it, but she may be the most high profile. Her decision is touching off a serious conversation about the preventive measure.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:50 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:50:38 GMT
Bucks County EMT Bryan Elwell is heading out to Oklahoma to help assist overwhelmed emergency responders dealing with the deadly tornado aftermath in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. He's prepared
Two local EMTs are headed to Oklahoma to help victims and crews dealing with the aftermath of a deadly tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:33 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:33:27 GMT
Two burglars were caught after being tipped by an alert resident.Police say the incident happened at 10 A.M. on Tuesday.The suspects were breaking into a home on the 700 block of County Line Road. No one
Two burglars were caught after being tipped by an alert resident.Police say the incident happened at 10 A.M. on Tuesday.The suspects were breaking into a home on the 700 block of County Line Road. No one
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:08:36 GMT
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:59:26 GMT
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:37 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:37:43 GMT
Helmeted rescue workers race to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives.
Helmeted rescue workers race to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:01:25 GMT
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
A patient is given a flu shot Thursday. Health officials say the flu is now widespread in more than 40 states across the country.
