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.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 10:57 AM EDT2013-05-14 14:57:52 GMT
Angelina Jolie has gotten a surgery she hopes will save her life. The actress says she had a preventative double mastectomy after finding out she carried the breast cancer gene.
Angelina Jolie has gotten a surgery she hopes will save her life. The actress says she had a preventative double mastectomy after finding out she carried the breast cancer gene.
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.
A Philadelphia jury is scheduled to start a fourth full day of deliberations in the case of a Philadelphia abortion provider facing multiple counts of murder.
The jury in the death-penalty trial of a Philadelphia abortion provider has gone home without a verdict after another day of deliberations.
Monday, May 20 2013 3:36 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:36:33 GMT
Philadelphia Police have released surveillance video hoping that someone will recognize the suspect wanted a fatal stabbing. At 5:09 AM, on April 16, police were called out to the 400 block of Vollmer
Philadelphia Police have released surveillance video hoping that someone will recognize the suspect wanted a fatal stabbing. At 5:09 AM, on April 16, police were called out to the 400 block of Vollmer
Monday, May 20 2013 2:22 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:22:16 GMT
Tuesday morning will feature another round patchy fog. It will be a mild and muggy start with temps in the mid 60s for the city and around 60 for the suburbs. Look for more clouds than sun with highs the low 80s. There could be a few spotty showers during the day.
Monday, May 20 2013 2:21 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:21:09 GMT
A picture taken of the rare Ben Franklin bust, valued at $3 million. The bust was stolen from a Brywn Mawr home in August.
A housekeeper has been sentenced to six years in federal prison in the theft of a Benjamin Franklin bust stolen in suburban Philadelphia and reportedly worth $3 million.Andrea Lawton, 47, of Mobile, Ala.,
A housekeeper has been sentenced to six years in federal prison in the theft of a Benjamin Franklin bust stolen in suburban Philadelphia and reportedly worth $3 million.Andrea Lawton, 47, of Mobile, Ala.,
Monday, May 20 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:25:38 GMT
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night. "It's like a nightmare, it's the worst nightmare anyone can think of. I keep thinking
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:14 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:14:40 GMT
Police are investigating an attempted robbery that occurred at 9:55 p.m. in Wilmington, Delaware near the Chateau Orleans Apartments.A 31-year old female was waling her dog along an unlit path when she
Police are investigating an attempted robbery that occurred at 9:55 p.m. in Wilmington, Delaware near the Chateau Orleans Apartments. A 31-year old female was walking her dog along an unlit path when she
A patient is given a flu shot Thursday. Health officials say the flu is now widespread in more than 40 states across the country.
