The Oswego County Health Department ended its Monday and Friday flu clinic schedule for the season. Beginning the week of March 3, immunization clinics will now take place every Tuesday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Nick Sterio Public Health Clinic, 70 Bunner St., Oswego. Appointments are required in advance.

“It’s not too late to get the flu shot, even as the weather gets warmer and we wrap up these special clinics,” said Oswego County Supervising Public Health Nurse Jennifer Purtell. “The influenza vaccine will still be available at our regular Tuesday clinics.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in February that while respiratory virus season is likely past its peak, it’s definitely not over as respiratory disease and influenza activity remain elevated. (https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/2023-2024-season-not-over.html)

“We’re still seeing a high number of people reporting being sick,” said Purtell. “Now is not the time to let our guard down.”

The Oswego County 2023-2024 Flu Season Dashboard tracks lab positive influenza data, breaking it down by week, township and age range. For updates, go to https://health.oswegocounty.com/ and scroll down to the dashboard link.

“According to the data, as of the end of February, around half of all flu cases are in people aged 19 and under,” said Oswego County Communicable Disease Epidemiologist Matthew Goodsell. “Several of our school districts have seen a large increase in cases in this last month alone, which tells us that students are still passing the flu around in the classroom.”

Staying up to date on vaccinations is the best way to protect against the flu and other illnesses, according to the CDC.

Other tips to help protect yourself and others from getting sick include:

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• Stay home and keep your children home when you or they are sick.
• Wear a mask when out in public.
• Clean and frequently disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school.

For more information or to make an appointment for a Tuesday clinic, call the health department at 315-349-3547 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.