2025-26 flu season arrives early in Erie County. How can you protect yourself?

Erie County’s 2025-26 flu season has started and it could be another busy one.

Sixty-two cases have been reported in the county, including 39 cases the week ending Nov. 7, according to the Erie County Department of Health. The county’s record-breaking 2024-25 season didn’t see that many cases in a week until late December.

Peak flu season in the county has occurred at various times between October and May, though it’s usually in January, February or March.

“In general, once you see cases go up to this level, they don’t come back down until (after the peak),” said Colleen Wallace, R.N., director of community health services for the County Health Department.

An added concern for the 2025-26 season is that researchers have discovered an emerging variant H3N2 flu strain that isn’t well covered by the flu vaccine, according to an article published by the University of Minnesota.

That doesn’t mean people should avoid getting vaccinated, Wallace said.

“The vaccine will still cover the other strains and even if you do still get the flu, being vaccinated will lessen its severity,” Wallace said.

Plenty of flu vaccine still available, but should get a dose soon

Flu vaccine remains available at doctor’s offices, chain pharmacies and at the LECOM Center for Health and Aging, 3910 Schaper Ave.

Those still interested should get vaccinated soon, since it takes a person about two weeks to develop full immunity from the vaccine, Wallace said.

“Otherwise, it’s just common-sense stuff like staying home when you’re not feeling good, especially if you are coughing and have a fever,” Wallace said. “If you think you might have the flu, call your doctor right away and see if you can get an antiviral.”

Of the county’s first 62 flu cases, none have resulted in hospitalizations or deaths. Wallace has not heard of any severe cases yet at long-term care facilities or hospital emergency departments.

Contact David Bruce at [email protected]. Follow him on X @ETNBruce.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: 2025-26 flu season arrives early in Erie County. How can you protect yourself?

Reporting by David Bruce, Erie Times-News / Erie Times-News

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