"It is not unusual to confirm flu cases at this time of year. For the past several years, influenza peaks in Los Angeles County have occurred after January first," said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. "Getting a flu shot or the FluMist nasal spray vaccine now will protect you and your family for the rest of this flu season and we urge everyone in Los Angeles County to do so."

Influenza accounts for up to 200,000 hospitalizations, and between 20,000 and 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Getting the flu vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the flu and its complications, which include pneumonia. All of the confirmed H1 infections in the United States this respiratory season have been covered by the vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stress the importance of flu vaccine for the following:

"Flu is extremely contagious, but everyone can help prevent its spread by covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, washing your hands frequently with soap and water, and staying home if you are sick," said Alvin Nelson El Amin, MD, MPH, Medical Director for Public Healths Immunization Program. "These steps will help reduce the chances of catching any number of respiratory viruses, including the flu."

Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, headache, and muscle ache within the first three to five days of illness.

Residents are encouraged to first contact their regular doctor for recommended vaccinations. Those who do not have a regular doctor or insurance coverage for vaccines may be eligible for reduced-cost or no-cost vaccines. Free flu vaccines are readily available in LA County, and the traditional shot, FluMist nasal spray vaccine, and thimerosal-free (preservative-free) vaccine continues to be offered through Public Health clinics. To find a Public Health clinic near you, call LA County's information line at 2-1-1 from any land line or cell phone.

For information on the web regarding low-cost flu vaccines through a health care organization or other vaccination clinic, visit the Public Health Immunization Program's website at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/ip or http://www.findaflushot.com.

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000 employees and an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do, please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.