Flu Season Starts Earlier Than in Past Years
More people have caught the flu so far this year compared to last year
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More people have caught the flu so far this year compared to last year Video by kmtv.com
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Omaha, NE - Walk into your local pharmacy and you're likely to see a sign advertising flu shots. The virus hit Douglas County a lot earlier and stronger this year than in years past. In hopes of staying healthy this winter, the Pavul brothers stopped into Kohll's Pharmacy to get vaccinated.
"I don't want to miss school cause I really get behind and it's hard to catch back up," Nick Pavul said.
The Douglas County health department reports 27 confirmed cases of the flu since October, that's more than five times the cases they normally see this time of year. We asked the county's health director why we're seeing a dramatic increase in cases. "Every flu season is slightly different so to do predictions is that gonna be a more serious season than previous years, we don't know," Dr. Adi Pour said.
A recent survey of more than 600 adults showed 67% say their biggest fear regarding the flu is spreading it to others. But that fear may not hold much weight because 61% of those surveyed said they remained unvaccinated - a sign not everyone is on board.
"I just don't believe in it I think you'll build up a tolerance for it and when you actually need it it won't work for you," Megan Mitchell said.
"Everybody in my family who's taken the flu shot has gotten sick right afterwards," Anne Marie Little said.
If you choose to get the vaccine, it takes two weeks for it to work. Doctors say the flu shot isn't 100% effective but it is the best protection.
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