HAZARD, Ky (WYMT) - Flu season is upon us, and some officials report the number of people getting the flu is getting worse in some areas.

The Centers for Disease Control reports flu activity is widespread in the state.

"The season is just now getting under way. We have seen in the past week or two especially since Christmas, we've seen a lot of folks with the flu. Some very sick individuals," said Dr. Mitchell Wicker at the Hazard Clinic.

Dr. Wicker says in his experience, flu season usually picks up in late December and ends in early March with the peak time being in January.

"Certainly the ones we have seen have been a lot sicker than usual. Again as I mentioned earlier, we had to admit several," said Dr. Wicker.

The regional epidemiologist with Kentucky River District Health Department says flu cases started showing up in Kentucky as early as October last year, but she says it is still not too late to get your flu shot.

"It's never to late. I am always urging people to get their flu shots," said Rudrani Ghosh.

She says it's hard to tell how long this flu season will last and if it will get any worse, but she says the best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated.

The vaccine takes about two weeks to become effective.