Flu cases down, but still a concern

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - As we head into the month of February, the flu remains a major concern throughout western Massachusetts.

Even though the flu has been around for months, if you have not yet gotten a flu shot, it might not be a bad idea, according to experts at Holyoke Medical Center.

This year, workers at the hospital’s microbiology lab say that they’re seeing more flu cases than they did at this stage for the past couple of years. On top of that, the decline in flu cases is very slow, which could mean widespread flu through February.

Carol Wojnarowski of infection control at Holyoke Medical Center says that this is definitely an unusual year for flu.

"Very specifically for us, we're seeing a large volume of vaccinated individuals who still have very serious and significant disease this year. That's quite unique for us,” Wojnarowski said.

While they are finding young people are getting the flu this season, there is some good news; the flu they are seeing is less severe as the H1N1 outbreak of 2009.

If you have had the flu, and a flu vaccine, your chances of getting the flu again are quite small.