Sept. 06--YORK, Pa. -- A few residents already have come down with the flu, but an outbreak hasn't happened yet.
Flu season usually starts to build in the fall and peaks in January or February, so now is a good time to get the flu shot, said Craig Smith, pharmacy manager at the Walgreens in Springettsbury Township.
"(The shot) is good for a year," Smith said of the vaccine. "Why not get it now?"
The flu shot will include the seasonal and H1N1 viruses this year, said Tom Skinner, a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The shot is recommended for anyone over the age of six months old.
Health officials are watching and investigating a novel influenza A virus that has been reported in Pennsylvania. What makes that strain unique is that it has a genetic component of the H1N1 virus, according to the state Department of Health.
"It's a different virus all together," Skinner said.
In Pennsylvania, three people became ill with the novel virus after attending the Washington County Agricultural Fair in mid-August, the state Department of Health reported Monday.
Those people are recovering or have recovered, said Christine Cronkright, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Heath.
At this time, officials are not seeing a link or chain of transmission in regards to the novel virus, Skinner said.
Officials are not telling people not to go to fairs, but they are encouraging people to wash their hands after petting animals, Cronkright said.
York Fair officials have not been notified about the novel strain, said Gene Schenck, president of the York Fair.
Meanwhile, officials are encouraging people to prepare now for the flu, Cronkright said.
Many pharmacies, including Walgreens, have advertised that flu shots are now available.
"It's good to get it done before the flu season hits," Smith said.
FLU PREVENTION
Health officials recommend that people follow these tips to help prevent the flu:
--- Coughing or sneezing into a tissue, your sleeve or elbow.
--- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze. Use alcohol-based hand sanitzer as an alternative.
--- Keep your hands away from your face. Don't touch your mouth, hands or eyes.
--- Keep frequently used surfaces clean.
--- Stay home from work, school and social gatherings if you have flu-like and feverish symptoms to help prevent others from catching your illness.
GETTING VACCINATED
Flu and pneumonia shots clinics will be held at the YMCA branches in York County this fall.
Highmark is making the vaccines available at not cost to its members in the Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. Those who can get the shots for free have Highmark FreedomBlue PPO, SecurityBlue HMO and Medigap Blue plans.
Other Medicare-eligible individuals are welcome to receive the flu and pneumonia vaccines at these locations but will need to apply to be reimbursed by their insurance company.
Here is a schedule of the clinics:
--- Bob Hoffman YMCA, 1705 Palomino Road, Dover Township: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 18.
--- Eastern York County YMCA, 4075 E. Market St., Springettsbury Township: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 11.
--- Southern Branch YMCA, 100 Constitution Avenue, Shrewsbury: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 11.
--- YMCA of York, 90 N. Newberry St., York: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 28.
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