Health officials urge people to get flu vaccines ahead of holidays.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Flu season is in full swing and coupled with COVID-19′s continued threat, health experts say there’s no better time to get your shots.

In Orange County, some mobile vaccination clinics are offering both COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

Paulo Miranda said he gets the flu shot every year.

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“Since I began taking the flu shots, I feel more confidence”, Miranda said.

Dr. Tim Hendrix with AdventHealth said he’s seeing more people getting sick with the flu this year than last.

“Two years ago, at the same time, we were seeing about 500 cases a week of influenza at Centracare, this last week was about 500 cases,” Hendricks said.

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Doctors say the low number of flu cases last year was because many people were taking precautions against COVID-19.

Things like masks, hand washing and social distancing helped reduce the number of people getting the flu.

The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu vaccine.

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Hendrix said it takes about two weeks for the body to develop protective antibodies after vaccination, so people should think about getting vaccinated soon.

“You want to get your shot now, especially if you’re looking at going into the holidays and being around family members to have that extra protection,” he said.

Health officials say the peak flu season is usually some time between late January and February.

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