It's not too late to get a flu shot for this season. The Broome County Health Department is urging all residents to get vaccinated during National Influenza Vaccination Week.

The Health Department is holding a flu vaccine clinic at their Front Street location on December 5th from 4-6 p.m. for adults 18 years and older without insurance. No appointment is needed.

The Broome Health Department says there were 2,344 lab-confirmed cases of influenza in the county during the 2018-2019 flu season. Chelsea Reome-Nedlik, a Public Health Representative, says anyone six months or older should get vaccinated. While no vaccine is 100% effective, Reome-Nedlik says it's the best protection against the virus that can be dangerous in children, the elderly, and people with existing health issues. 

"It helps to protect you from the flu. It also helps to protect other people from the flu," says Reome-Nedlik, "For most people, getting the flu is a really unpleasant experience. You'll be sick for a week or two and you'll bounce back, but some people, there's a high risk of having serious complications from the flu that can lead to hospitalization or even death."

Reome-Nedlik says now is a good time to get vaccinated since the flu hasn't hit its peak here in Broome County. The vaccine can take a few weeks to kick in.