The country as a whole is dealing with a spike in flu cases. New York saw a 129% increase in reported flu cases in the last full week of October. 

In Monroe County, the flu caseload tripled at the end of last month. Throughout Western New York, including Rochester, there were close to 600 cases of the flu by the end of October.

Dr. Timothy Murphy, SUNY distinguished professor of medicine at the University at Buffalo, said they usually see the peak flu season between December and March. He said this early spike could be due to the last two years of pandemic precautions like mask wearing and social distancing. Dr. Murphy says people don't have the same immunity built up that they have had in years past.

“The best thing that we can do to reduce our chances of getting influenza is getting the vaccine," said Dr. Murphy. "The vaccine works, even if it doesn’t work in preventing you from getting the flu, it’s effective at reducing the likelihood of severe disease and death.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 18 million fewer people got the flu vaccination this year compared to last year. The CDC says from 2019 to 2020, approximately 25,000 people nationwide died of flu-related illness.