As people head indoors during the colder months and gather with family and friends for the holidays, germs will be there too.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald emphasized that the most important way to prepare for flu season is to get vaccinated. He noted the flu tends to be a little different every year. This year, according to the CDC, the most frequently reported virus is the H3N2 strain.
McDonald points to data showing years with H-3 strains tend to see higher hospitalizations, but that’s not something we need to worry about currently.
“We are seeing an increase in cases in New York State, and we are seeing an increase in people in the hospital. But it’s still early in the flu season in New York. And we’re not seeing a meaningful amount of H-3 in New York state just yet. What we’re dealing with is the usual influenza,” he said.
What You Need To Know
New York’s health commissioner says washing hands, staying away from sick people and getting vaccinated are all protections people should consider to avoid getting sick.
Dr. James McDonald mentioned he’s hoping more people 65 and older will get vaccinated for the flu this year, as it will protect from hospitalizations and deaths from the virus.
Last season, 27 children died from the flu in New York.
McDonald said there are more kids getting vaccinated this year, which he sees as a positive after there were more than two dozen child deaths from the flu last season in New York.
The number of children dying from the flu is slowly rising in the state, according to DOH data. In the 2021-2022 season, three children died; the next season, there were 14 child deaths; 20 more kids died the year after that and last season (2024-2025), 27 children died from the flu in New York.
DOH data says that 4% of kids that died from the flu last season were vaccinated and 19% were ineligible for a vaccine.
“So the flu vaccine is made new every year based on what are the expected type of strains, what do we anticipate the flu being. So, we don’t really know how well the flu vaccine works until after the year is over. But this year’s vaccine does so far look like it’s going to be a pretty good vaccine,” McDonald said.
McDonald mentioned he’s hoping more people 65 and older will get vaccinated for the flu this year, as it will protect from hospitalizations and deaths from the virus. He noted that flu season will peak at the end of December to early January after the holidays.
People in the 65 or older category or those who have an underlying health condition can take medicine to help them get through the flu. But that medicine must be taken within 48 hours of initial symptoms.
“It takes 20 seconds to wash your hands thoroughly, and if your schedule is so busy you don’t have 20 seconds to wash your hands, you have my permission to lighten up your schedule, because you need to take that time to wash your hands thoroughly. Hot water is best,” said McDonald.
The commissioner also recommends getting vaccinated for the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, saying for every one person in the hospital with the flu in New York right now, there are three with COVID.