Many North Texans aren’t prepared for the start of flu season.
“That’s alarming,” said Zachary Thompson, Director of Dallas County Health & Human Service. “We’re not seeing enough Dallas County residents coming in getting the flu shot."
Dallas County reported 19 flu deaths during the 2014-2015 flu season, and the deaths of two children the year before.
"We’re going to have flu in Dallas County, (and) it’s going to be deadly," said Thompson."That’s why we’re encouraging everyone now to get the flu shot to protect themselves, protect their families, and protect the community."
Store pharmacies have had the flu vaccine available for more than two months, but the warm weather may be keeping many people away.
"It is two weeks to build up the immunity," said Thompson, who’s concerned about the start of the busy holiday season later this month, when flu cases normally begin to rise.
"If you take a flu shot, your chances of falling sick are really low," said Shrikanth Mahale, who got a flu shot in Dallas.
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A new father, Krishna Mishra got a flu shot to protect his wife and their two day old baby girl.
"So as me and my wife got new baby, so I had to take it," said Mishra. "She’s in hospital now, so even to visit her I have to put a mask on, so I thought it was a better idea to get it now."
Flu season normally begins to peak in December.
