It's flu season and New York state is recognizing National Influenza Vaccination Week while also grappling with an increase in cases.

The uptick has led the state Department of Health to declare the flu “prevalent” in New York, which means health care personnel who are not vaccinated against the flu need to wear a mask in health care facilities.

“Flu season is here again, and it has gone up — the number of flu cases in the state of New York,” the governor said Wednesday.

Gov. Hochul is alerting New Yorkers that flu cases in the state are up 25% over last week with hospitalizations up 30%. 

“I am very sad to report that there have been two pediatric deaths related to the flu, so I want to make sure everyone is reminded to get their flu shot,” she said.

With the flu impacting children, the governor and medical professionals are urging everyone who is able to get vaccinated.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Dr. Mary Koslap-Petraco says young immune systems put children at greater risk.

“Young children, even healthy young children, can wind up seriously ill from influenza or even die from influenza,” she said. “It’s not just children with complications who can have these issues.” 

Alissa Kanowitz, a founding board member of organization Families Fighting Flu, says she got involved in health advocacy after experiencing what she called every parent's worst nightmare: the loss of her daughter, Amanda, 20 years ago this February. At 4 years old, Amanda loved her friends, dolls, and the colors pink and purple. 

“We thought it was a normal virus, but she was coughing one day and vomiting the next,” she said. “Then around 3:30 in the morning I checked on her and gave her a hug and a kiss, and then three hours later I found her lifeless in her bed.”

She’s hoping that by advocating for individuals and families to get their flu shot, she’ll help other families.

“I never dreamed that anything like this could happen to us, but if it could happen to us, it could happen to anybody,” she said. 

Vaccinating is something Dr. Koslap-Petraco says parents should do sooner rather than later.

“It’s time for anyone who is medically capable to vaccinate, and vaccinate now. It takes two weeks for the vaccine to work,” she said.

As for how old your child should be before getting vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend everyone who is medically able 6 months and older get their flu shot.

In addition to young children, there is a particularly high risk of serious illness for pregnant individuals, anyone with a chronic health condition, or older people who get the flu.