CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango County Health Department is once again urging everyone aged six months and older to receive a flu vaccine as cases of influenza continue to rise across the county and state.

On February 1, the Chenango County Health Department announced over double the amount of confirmed influenza cases in the county than it had last year at this time. Two weeks later, it is urging all those who haven't already to receive their flu shot as influenza cases continue to surge.

"Flu vaccine can vary in how well it works, but remains the best way to prevent illness and influenza complications, including those that can lead to hospitalization," states a release on behalf of the Chenango County Health Department.

The NYS Health Department has reported 70,000 cases of laboratory-confirmed flu reports in the state, with 14,000 people hospitalized from the flu. Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order on January 25 declaring a disaster emergency in the state.

Although preliminary estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that this year's flu vaccine is just 36 percent effective against all strains of influenza and 25 percent effective against the most prevalent strain of influenza, the county health department said, "Even when flu vaccine does not prevent illness, it still lessens the severity and shortens the duration of the flu."