First El Paso Flu Death Announced – Here’s Where To Get A Flu Shot

If you think the flu is nothing serious, think again. There has been a death from complications of the flu announced by City of El Paso officials.

The El Paso Department of Public Heath announced the first flu-associated death in the El Paso area. Officials say a man in his 70’s who had underlying medical conditions died as a result of the flu. Officials say even though the man who died was a senior citizen, the majority of cases being reported to the City this year are children. City officials say parents should make sure that their children’s flu immunizations are current. The number one defense against the virus and the flu is the flu vaccine. They say that a flu shot is a good way to help prevent getting the flu.

You can take your kids to get the flu shot through the City. They are being offered to children at the three Department of Health Immunization Clinics to those who are 18 years of age and over via the Vaccinations for Health Program. You still have time to go to this month’s outreach events at the El Paso Fire Department Safety, Health & Outreach Center located at 5415 Trowbridge Drive. Those events are scheduled for:

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 29, 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Last year between October 1, and January 4, the Epidemiology Program recorded almost four thousand cases of the flu in El Paso. That is an almost fifty percent increase in the number of cases as compared to the same time during the 2018-2019 season.

Getting the flu vaccine is one way to help from getting the flu, but you can also help stop the spread of catching the flu by washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home if you're sick. You can get more information on flu prevention and vaccines by clicking here for the City's Health Department.