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.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:49 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:49:33 GMT
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
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.
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:06 PM EDT2013-05-26 01:06:21 GMT
Jasmine Moore should be getting ready to celebrate her 15th birthday Sunday. Instead she and several relatives are nursing burn wounds they suffered after fire ripped through their Cobbs Creek home.
A critically injured child along with her relatives are recovering at CHOP after an early morning fire. They say if not for a quick thinking family member things could have been a lot worse.
Saturday, May 25 2013 11:00 AM EDT2013-05-25 15:00:47 GMT
A South New Jersey business owner comes face to face with a suspected robber threatening him with a knife. Thanks to his 7-year-old family pet, the crook ran off.
A South New Jersey business owner comes face to face with a suspected robber threatening him with a knife. Thanks to his 7-year-old family pet, the crook ran off.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:08 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:08:04 GMT
Busy planning your cook-out or trip down the shore this Memorial Day Weekend? Don't forget about the men and women for whom the holiday is observed.
Busy planning your cook-out or trip down the shore this Memorial Day Weekend? Don't forget about the men and women for whom the holiday is observed. FOX 29's Bruce Gordon spent a day with folks preparing a veterans' cemetery for its day in the spotlight.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:48 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:48:26 GMT
Surveillance video you'll see only on FOX shows chaos just after a police officer opened fire on a man who witnesses say had his hands up to surrender. Police deny that claim.
Surveillance video you'll see only on FOX shows chaos just after a police officer opened fire on a man who witnesses say had his hands up to surrender. Police deny that claim.
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A patient is given a flu shot Thursday. Health officials say the flu is now widespread in more than 40 states across the country.
