Lexington confirms first flu case of the season

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Lexington confirms first flu case of the season

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - It's finally arrived. Lexington has it's first confirmed case of the flu this year.

News of Lexington's first confirmed flu case comes on the first day of National Influenza Vaccination Week. Officials here at the Health Department say it highlights the need for people to get flu shots.

Health officials say this first confirmed case comes a little later in the flu season than normal. They say that could be because more people are getting flu shots. On October 12, the health department gave out nearly 1,700 free flu shots on Free Flu Friday. Last year, the department vaccinated more than 5,000 people.

"I do think more people are paying attention and getting shots and more elderly and school-age children are getting the shots," says Lois Davis with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. "I think people are more aware and they're offered in more places around the community too."

There were 143 confirmed cases of the flu in Lexington last year.

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