About 1 percent of Connecticut residents will be affected by the flu this year, according to the Department of Public Health (DPH).  The actual number will vary and may be up to five times higher, since some won't seek medical attention or testing when they are ill. 

Dr. Robert Fitton of Brookfield Family Medicine has seen that firsthand. "Even grim statistics such as influenza killing 13,000 people last year can't scare some to their senses."

Fitton said they have been giving out the vaccine to their regular patients as well as calling those who are more susceptible, such as the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

"People still won't come in who need to. Only 50-60 percent of the people recommended to get the shot come in, so we prioritize based on the old guidelines," Fitton said.

Fairfield County Medical Association president, Dr. Claudia Gruss said they "have not heard from the experts that we are expecting it to be any better or the same" this year.

"Everyone is concerned if H1N1 will raise its ugly head again," Gruss stated, "but the bottom line is that the present vaccine has incorporated it as well as other strains. That is why it is recommended to vaccinate a little earlier."

The vaccine takes "a few weeks to develop immunity," according to Gruss.

Last year's H1N1 virus caused the first influenza pandemic in over 40 years, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Due to the number of deaths related with H1N1, the CDC has updated its guidelines for vaccinations and immunizations.

Current recommendations state that everyone from ages six months and up should be vaccinated and vaccinations should start as early as September. Previous recommendations were for pregnant women, infants, senior citizens and people with compromised immune systems be vaccinated.

In local schools such as The Goddard School, teachers and administrators have been teaching children proper hygiene to reduce the spread.

Director Lynn Rowland said their school nurse Nancy Munn has been keeping accurate records, according to the new guidelines for daycares and preschools going into effect January 1, 2011.

"We have several standards in place to keep everyone as healthy as possible, that's our goal," Rowland said.

Children wash their hands upon entry to the school, as well as after bathroom breaks and before snacks and lunch. "We bleach our toys, we have a cleaning service come in and children wash their hands at specific times," Rowland explained. "Tons of preventative measures are in place."

The practices described are just what the CDC recommends to prevent the spread of the flu virus.

According to spokesman for the CDC Jeff Diamond, "The most common germ carrier is children or kids in college who are in a close living environment where germs can spread easier." Here are some recommendations from the CDC to prevent the spread of the flu virus:

• Get vaccinated early;
• Practice good hygiene wash hands with soap and water;
• Use hand sanitizer;
• Cough or sneeze into tissue or sleeve;
• Keep hands away from mouth and eyes;
• If you do feel like you're getting sick, stay home! You don't help anybody by showing how tough you are by spreading disease;
• If you do feel like you are getting sick, see your doctor and you can get an anti-viral medicine such as Tamaflu or Relenza.

According to Diamond, there are three flu strains that are expected this year; an A strain, a B strain and H3N2, which Diamond said "doesn't have any nomenclature attached to it yet."

The new flu strain, H3N2, was discovered in the southern hemisphere back in February, Diamond said. "You can't feel the difference, the only way to tell the difference is through a lab test."

The flu vaccine has all three strains in it, according to the Diamond.

The major problem medical professionals faced last year was that there was not enough of the vaccine to go around. This year that will not be a problem according to the CDC.

"There's plenty of it, nobody is going to run out," Diamond said.

"No flu season is a good season, but it's hard to tell as far as what level we may see right now," Diana Lejardi, spokesperson for the DPH, said. "Until we start seeing the influenza levels increase, we are encouraging everyone who can be vaccinated. It's not too early."  

Director of the Brookfield Senior Center Ellen Melville said they are planning two clinics at Town Hall. The annual flu shot clinic is being sponsored by the Danbury VNA. Dates are as follows:   

• Monday, October 18: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. — Last names beginning with letters A-L.
• Monday, October 25: 1 p.m. to 3p.m. — Last names beginning with letters M-Z.

No appointments are necessary.  The flu vaccine will be billed to Medicare Part B or Anthem Blue Cross, ConnectiCare, Health Net, Oxford, Aetna or CIGNA. Proof of coverage must be presented, so insurance cards are necessary.

Major chain stores are also offering walk-in flu clinics such as CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid.

"People will get it where they can," Dr. Fitton stated. "The problem is every year I throw out vaccines because people who were supposed to get it don't get it."