Flu season is approaching, though.

The Centers for Disease Control expects this season to be moderately severe.

It says influenza remains a serious public health threat.

The CDC estimates there were 35 to 65 million flu cases in the U.S. during last year's flu season.

Hundreds of thousands were hospitalized because of the flu and it claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Overall, Kentuckians have a higher risk of suffering from complications of the flu, says Kevin Hall with the Lexington Fayette County Health Department.

He says the flu shot is the best defense against the flu, and that's why departments are offering a free flu shot clinic this week.

More on that in tonight's medical news.

Last year, we had a very busy flu season of more than 3000 confirmed cases.

We anticipate seeing another busy season.

Unfortunately, the flu can be fatal.

And each year across the country, as many as 60,000 people die from the flu or its complications.

The people at highest risk are seniors, adults, children who are younger than five years of age and anyone with a compromised immune system or underlying condition.

So think about Kentucky.

We have high incidence of diabetes and smoking.

So you've got people who are already going to be impacted because health conditions and put them at high risk.

That's why it's so important to take the flu seriously.

One reason people downplayed the severity of the flu is that the flu itself is used as a catch all for any Winter Olympics.

People talk about a stomach flu or any time they're sick.

This year had the flu.

The flu is a very particular illness that can last 7 to 10 days.

And for people who get it, they often don't want to leave the couch or the bed if you've got the flu.

You know you've had the flu.

The two biggest telltale signs of the flu are body aches.

So that feeling that you just can't move, you're not going to get out of bed, you're not going to get off the couch and a high fever.

So if you're experiencing those, you want to absolutely make sure you're getting checked out.

Now, most people don't need to go to the medical provider if they have the flu.

But if you're somebody who is at a high risk, absolutely get checked out.

It really the symptoms of the flu are very common to COVID 19.

Probably one of the reasons we've seen flu numbers, the confirmed cases actually go up is more people were getting tested for it.

They weren't sure if it was COVID.

They weren't sure if it was the flu.

So if you are sick, you're not sure what you have.

Talk to your provider.

Make a call, get an appointment, get a test.

And it's important for people to protect themselves and their family by getting a flu shot.

The flu shot is important for anyone ages six months and older to get our free flu shot.

Thursday at that mall, you don't have to be a resident of Fayette County.

We just want you to come out and get a flu shot and protect yourself this fall and winter.

For more information on the Free flu Shot clinic, go to LFC HD dot o RG.