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Lucas County Health Department encouraging people to get their flu shot

Long lines filled the Health Department last flu season and there were even deaths in the area. Now health officials say things could be just as bad, if not worse, in the coming months.

TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - The flu season has affected those in northwest Ohio much earlier this year than last and Toledo Lucas County Health Department is encouraging people like Claudia Nettles to get their shots as soon as possible.

"I had a flu shot last year. I was all right last year. I was doing good," Ms. Nettles said.

Long lines filled the Health Department last flu season and there were even deaths in the area. Now health officials say things could be just as bad, if not worse, in the coming months.

The problem, they says, is that this year's vaccine is not a perfect match for the flu strain affecting so many. But health officials say getting a flu shot is still your best bet.

"You still want to get that vaccine. If you do come down with the flu, more than likely it's going to be a milder case than if you hadn't gotten the vaccine," said Mary Sheehy of the Toledo Lucas County Health Department.

And there is something else Sheehy wants to emphasize.

"You may experience a side effect, you may have a sore arm. However, you cannot get the flu from receiving the shot," said Sheehy. 

The next flu clinics at the Health Department will be Monday and Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and most health insurance plans will cover payment.

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