Interview: LCPH Deputy Director Anna Platz talks upcoming Flu/COVID vaccine clinic amidst concerns for potentially bad season

LOWVILLE- The weather is turning cooler and that signals an annual trend where people tend to gather inside more and more in the northern part of our country.

As people stay indoors more often during the fall and winter seasons in New York, this is when our flu and cold season ramps up.

With worrying signs of flu in the southern hemisphere while we enjoyed our summer, health officials are strongly urging community members to ensure their flu shots on the early side this year.

"The CDC is recommending that people take pre-cautions earlier and get their flu shots earlier than normal in preparation for what could be a potentially severe flu season," said Lewis County Public Health Deputy Director Anna Platz.     

With that being said, we now have COVID to deal with as well, but health officials seem much more optimistic than where we were two-years-ago now with the pandemic because the vaccines have dramatically reduced the overall number of severe cases, hospitalizations and deaths. 

But what about the people who are fully vaccinated/boosted and still end up with COVID? "The intent of the vaccines have always been to prevent severe illness and death," Platz emphasized, clarifying that you can still get COVID after your shots, but your case is so extremely likely to be much more milder if you've been fully vaccinated/boosted.

Health officials have iterated that the small percentage of vaccinated people who end up severely ill with COVID generally are elderly and have numerous underlying medical conditions.         

For those needing a COVID booster or flu shots, there will be a Flu and COVID booster clinic at the Lowille Fire Hall (refer to flyer below). Those who decide to get their initial two-doses for COVID will have that opportunity as well.  

Be sure to listen to our latest on-air interview with Anna Platz for more details:

Images courtesy via Lewis County Public Health.