Nearly 900 Galveston County residents have been diagnosed with the flu in just the first two weeks of October.

Official flu season kicked off Oct. 1 and in the first week alone, 421 cases were reported to the Galveston County Health District (GCHD). Another 474 were reported during the second week. Those numbers are up significantly when compared to previous years. During the first two weeks of October 2021, only two cases were reported. In 2020, five cases were reported with 27 in 2019 and 21 in 2018.

?We were expecting a rough flu season based on what we?ve seen in other countries like Australia, which had many cases early on in their season. But the sheer number of cases we?ve seen here in the first two weeks is more than we anticipated,? said Dr. Philip Keiser, GCHD CEO and Galveston County local health authority.

?Getting your flu vaccine is incredibly important this year,? Keiser said. ?Flu is already here. That is clear. Do not wait to get vaccinated.?

People 6 months and older should be vaccinated against the flu. Children who need two doses of vaccine to protect against the flu should start the vaccination process sooner as the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart. Vaccination is especially important for certain high-risk groups including those age 65 and older, pregnant women, young children and those with chronic health conditions who are at higher risk for complications or even death if they get the flu.

Vaccination is also important for health care workers and others who live with or care for high-risk people to keep from spreading the flu to them. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against the flu to develop in the body.

?We encourage anyone who hasn?t already received their flu vaccine to get it,? Keiser added. ?Flu hasn?t really circulated a lot in the past few years and, overall, our immunity has waned. We need to make sure we?re protected.?

It is especially important this year to protect those at higher risk for flu and COVID-19 complications.

?It is likely we?re going to see flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 spreading this fall and winter,? Keiser said. ?There are thousands of Galveston County residents who are eligible to receive the updated bivalent COVID-19 booster dose who haven?t done so yet. We?re concerned we?re going to see an increase in COVID-19 cases while also facing what we expect to be an active season.?

Some symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, which can make it hard to tell the difference between the two. Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people, especially children, may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may also be infected with flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Diagnostic testing can help determine if someone is sick with the flu or COVID-19.

Flu vaccines help reduce illness and flu-related hospitalizations, as well as doctor visits, missed days at work and missed days at school.

Help stop the spread of flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses:

• Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Consider wearing a face mask when in indoor, crowded spaces.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue away after use and wash hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Avoid contact with those who are sick.

Flu vaccine is available now at doctor offices, local pharmacies and at the GCHD immunization clinic, 9850-B Emmett F. Lowry Expressway in Texas City. ?Clinic hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. with extended hours on Tuesday to 6:30 p.m. Flu shots are $33 each. Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, cash, check, debit and credit cards are accepted. For more information, call 409.949.3459. Free COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses are also available at the immunization clinic.

?We have a small number of flu vaccines we are offering for free. Please, if you have insurance, see your doctor or local pharmacy to get your flu shot this year,? Keiser said. ?We want to save the small quantity of free flu vaccines we have for those who do not have insurance.?

The flu vaccine is also available at Coastal Health & Wellness for established patients. To make an appointment, please call 409.938.2234.