New Philadelphia, Ohio (WJER) - The city’s health commissioner is encouraging people to come into the clinic to get their flu vaccines for the season.  

New Philadelphia Health Commissioner Vickie Ionno says some clinics have been reporting short supplies of the flu vaccine, but the city’s clinic is still in good shape, even with higher demand so far.

“We initially started about the first of September, and it’s been real steady. We were super busy in October. We’ve actually exceeded all of what we gave last year already but we have a good supplier and we have plenty in stock. 

Ionno says it’s best not to wait, as the vaccines can take up to two weeks to become effective, and it’s difficult to predict when flu season could peak.                       

“I’ve seen it as early as schools closing before Christmas break because of so many kids out with the flu, and I’ve also seen it wait until almost March. We know it’s out and about, and it won’t take long before it spreads,” she says.

Ionno says people don’t have to live in New Philadelphia to get a flu vaccine from the city health department. Appointments for kids are recommended, but adults can walk in on weekdays from 8 am to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.   

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