Flu season is getting an early start this season, and health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated ahead of Thanksgiving and other holiday gatherings.

The New York State Department of Health declared influenza prevalent statewide on October 22, about six weeks earlier than the previous season.

Erin Black, a family nurse practitioner at WMC Health Margaretville Hospital, says the early start doesn’t necessarily mean a more severe flu season. But it does make vaccination timing important.

“Being that it is coming on earlier in the season, what it means is you should go ahead and get your flu vaccines early,” Black said.

It takes about two weeks for a flu vaccine to reach its full effectiveness, making November an important time for people who haven’t yet received their shot.

Black said providers at Margaretville Hospital had not yet seen a significant increase in positive flu cases but expect that to change as the season progresses, particularly after the holidays.

She acknowledged that flu vaccines are not perfect and people can still get influenza after vaccination. But she said vaccination can reduce the severity of illness and the risk of hospitalization.

“The point of getting the flu vaccine is that it will keep people out of the hospital,” Black said. “It’ll definitely help with the symptoms, you’ll recover faster.”

Flu isn’t the only concern

Black said residents should also be aware of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, which can cause serious illness in vulnerable populations.

She highlighted the importance of vaccination for older adults, young children, people with underlying health conditions and pregnant women. She also noted that RSV prevention is not just a concern for infants.

“RSV is not just the baby illness. We recommend that adults 75 plus or adults 50 plus with underlying condition, heart disease, lung disease, get a one-time RSV vaccine, she said.”

Know when to seek care

Most otherwise healthy people recover from respiratory illnesses within about a week. But Black recommends that older adults and people with chronic conditions, including heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and kidney or liver disease, contact their healthcare providers sooner.

She identified difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion and symptoms that improve before getting worse again as warning signs requiring immediate medical attention.

For children, warning signs include rapid breathing, unusually low urination, excessive sleepiness and a fever above 104 degrees. Infants younger than 12 weeks with symptoms should also receive immediate medical attention, she said.

As families prepare for holiday gatherings, Black recommends staying home when sick, washing hands frequently, covering coughs and considering masks when appropriate.

“If you’re not feeling well, unfortunately, it’s just not worth it to put other people at risk,” Black said.

More information is available at wmchealth.org.