HAUPPAGUE - The Suffolk County Department of Health Services will be making more than 7,000 doses of this season’s influenza vaccine available to county physicians and the general public who are in need of the influenza vaccine, free of charge.

The Department’s Division of Public Health has already held over 50 influenza clinics this season. At this time, influenza vaccine is recommended for anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting influenza, is at risk of complications from influenza or more likely to require medical care and for people who can spread influenza to those at high risk (including household members). The general public vaccine is for adults 18 years and older.

This time of year is peak season for influenza and, while it takes two weeks for the vaccine to become effective, there is still a benefit for people to be vaccinated. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is calling the influenza in New York “wide spread.”

Every year, over 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die from complications of influenza.  Young children, pregnant women, and older people as well as those with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease, are at increased risk of these serious complications and should be vaccinated if possible.