Flu Patients Flooding Lubbock Clinics; Fastest Hitting Flu Season in a Decade
By: Ashley Hinson
Updated: January 4, 2013
Local clinics are seeing patients
pour into their waiting rooms with flu like symptoms. The good news? This year's vaccine is super effective. The CDC said it gives 90% protection from the
three flu strains going around.
The bad news? Only about 1/3 of Texans get the shot.
Dr. Johnny Vuelvas at UMC Freedom Clinic said so far, he's already seen more flu cases than all of last year's combined, and we still have two months of the flu season left.
"In the five years that I've been practicing this is the most we've seen this early," said Dr. Vuelvas. "Usually we're seeing more flu closer to February, but we saw some even in November and those numbers have just continued to climb."
Dr. Vuelvas urges everyone to get a flu shot, it's not too late. If you or your kids don't like needles, he says the flu mist works just as well.
