Flu Information

A flu vaccine doesn’t always prevent flu, but it can tame flu’s wildest symptoms if your child gets sick— so they can recover faster and miss fewer days of school.

Avian (Bird) Flu H5
For the latest on H5 bird flu in the U.S. and CDC’s response, including regularly updated case counts, visit the H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation page.

December 18, 2024: CDC Confirms First Severe Case of H5N1 Bird Flu in the United States
A patient has been hospitalized with a severe case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus (“H5N1 bird flu”) infection in Louisiana. This marks the first instance of severe illness linked to the virus in the United States. The case was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, December 13. Since April 2024, there have been a total of 61 reported human cases of H5 bird flu reported in the United States.

Partial viral genome data of the H5N1 avian influenza virus that infected the patient in Louisiana indicates that the virus belongs to the D1.1 genotype related to other D1.1 viruses recently detected in wild birds and poultry in the United States and in recent human cases in British Columbia, Canada, and Washington state. This H5N1 bird flu genotype is different than the B3.13 genotype detected in dairy cows, sporadic human cases in multiple states, and some poultry outbreaks in the United States. Additional genomic sequencing and efforts to isolate virus from clinical specimens from the patient in Louisiana are underway at CDC.

While an investigation into the source of the infection in Louisiana is ongoing, it has been determined that the patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks. This is the first case of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. that has been linked to exposure to a backyard flock. A sporadic case of severe H5N1 bird flu illness in a person is not unexpected; avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection has previously been associated with severe human illness in other countries during 2024 and prior years, including illness resulting in death. No person-to-person spread of H5 bird flu has been detected. This case does not change CDC’s overall assessment of the immediate risk to the public’s health from H5N1 bird flu, which remains low.

This case underscores that, in addition to affected commercial poultry and dairy operations, wild birds and backyard flocks also can be a source of exposure. People with work or recreational exposures to infected animals are at higher risk of infection and should follow CDC’s recommended precautions when around animals that are infected or potentially infected with H5N1 avian influenza virus. This means that backyard flock owners, hunters and other bird enthusiasts should also take precautions.

The best way to prevent H5 bird flu is to avoid exposure whenever possible. Infected birds shed avian influenza A viruses in their saliva, mucous, and feces. Other infected animals may shed avian influenza A viruses in respiratory secretions and other bodily fluids (e.g., in unpasteurized cow milk or ‘raw milk’). 

  • As a general precaution, whenever possible, people should avoid contact with sick or dead animals, in particular wild birds, and poultry.
  • For individuals with direct/close contact with wild birds or sick or dead poultry or other animals, wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE). Wild birds can be infected with avian influenza A viruses even if they don't look sick.
  • Do not touch surfaces or materials (e.g., animal litter or bedding material) contaminated with saliva, mucous, or animal feces from wild or domestic birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza A virus infection.

For more information on H5 bird flu in the U.S. and CDC’s response, including regularly updated case counts, visit the H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation page.

Avian (Bird) Flu H5 in Dairy Cows and Milk
H5 bird flu is causing outbreaks in U.S. dairy cows. Infected cows may shed the H5 bird flu virus in their milk. Pasteurization kills harmful germs in milk so that it is safe to consume. Always choose pasteurized milk and dairy products to protect your health and the health of your family. In addition to H5 bird flu, unpasteurized raw milk, and dairy products made from it (e.g., cheese, yogurt, ice cream), can also be contaminated with other germs that can cause serious illness, hospitalization, or death. 

Seasonal Flu
Each year in the U.S., more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu complications. People most at risk for complications from the flu include  pregnant women, adults age 50 and older, children under the age of five and their caregivers, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and anyone who has certain underlying medical conditions. 

New York State Flu Tracker

COVID-19 and Flu Treatments Locator

  • Find COVID-19 and Flu Medications (HHS) The locator displays pharmacies, clinics, and other locations with safe and effective COVID-19 and flu medications. These medications require a prescription from a healthcare provider. Please note that COVID-19 and flu medications may also be available at additional locations not shown on this locator.

Seasonal Flu Information for Children and Adolescents:

Help prevent the spread of the flu by following the Four "C"s.

  • Contact: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to prevent them from getting sick. Equally important is avoiding contact with your eyes, nose and mouth since the virus spreads by entering the mucous membranes in these areas.
  • Contain: If you are sick, stay home from work, school and public areas. If you had a fever, stay home until 24 hours after your fever subsides to avoid spreading your germs.
  • Cover: To prevent spreading the flu, cough or sneeze into your elbow or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Since you may be contagious even before you realize you are sick, it is important to make this habit routine.
  • Clean: Clean your hands in warm soapy water often. Hand washing is one of the most effective, yet overlooked ways of preventing the spread of illness. Also, be sure to clean surfaces you touch frequently, such as doorknobs, water faucets, refrigerator handles and telephones.

Where can I go to get a flu vaccine?
Use the Vaccine Finder Tool to locate flu vaccines in your area. Flu shots are available for a fee from many area pharmacists, medical offices and neighborhood health centers . Residents should check with their health care provider or a local pharmacy chain. 

Also, you can try one of the local neighborhood health centers listed below. Be sure to call ahead to find out if they have vaccine in stock. 

Westchester Community Health Centers
Mount Vernon 
107 West Fourth Street,
Mount Vernon, New York 10550
Phone: (914) 699-7200

Yonkers
30 South Broadway,
Yonkers, New York 10701
Phone: (914) 968-4898

Greenburgh
295 Knollwood Road,
Greenburgh, New York 10607
Phone: (914) 989-7600


Sun River Health
New Rochelle
14 Lawton Street, New Rochelle, NY 10801
For an appointment call: (855) 681-8700

White Plains
360 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605
For an appointment call: (855) 681-8700

Peekskill
1037 Main Street, Peekskill, NY 10566
For an appointment call: (914) 734-8800

Yonkers - Park Care 
2 Park Ave, Yonkers, NY 10703
For an appointment call: (914)964-7862

Yonkers - Valentine Lane 
503 South Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10705
For an appointment call: (914)965-9771


Open Door Family Medical Centers
Mamaroneck Open Door
689 Mamaroneck Avenue 
Mamaroneck, NY. 10543
Phone: (914) 732-0233

Mt. Kisco Open Door
30 West Main Street
Mt. Kisco, New York 10549
Phone: (914) 666-3272

Ossining Open Door
165 Main Street
Ossining, NY  10562
Phone: (914) 941-1263

Port Chester Open Door
5 Grace Church Street
Port Chester, NY  10573
Phone: (914) 937-8899

Sleepy Hollow Open Door
300 North Broadway
Sleepy Hollow, NY  10591
Phone: (914) 631-4141

What do I need to know about the flu vaccine?
It’s recommended for everyone six months of age and older, according to the the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

And flu shots are especially recommended for:

  • Pregnant women
  • Children age five and under
  • People age 50 and older
  • People with certain chronic medical conditions
  • People who live in nursing homes and long-term care facilities
  • Health care workers or others who care for those at high risk for flu complications

While the flu shot is a good idea for most people, you should always check with your health care provider first, especially if you have a severe allergy to chicken eggs, have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine or have developed Guillain-Barre syndrome within six weeks of getting a flu vaccine. Anyone with a moderate to severe illness with a fever should wait until they have recovered to get vaccinated.