New Yorkers Flock to Flu Shots

Flu vaccinations are up 50 percent in New York City, according to the Health Department — though the city's flu chief said it's too soon to know whether the surge is the result of the vaccine being more widely available than ever before, or because of Ebola fears.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and other authorities have been saying a the flu shot is one of the best things people can do to fight Ebola — albeit indirectly. The vaccine does nothing to protect people from the deadly virus. But Dr. Jane Zucker, the city Health Department's flu chief, said more people getting flu shots and nasal mist means fewer sick people diverting the resources of hospital emergency rooms.

"Leaving emergency departments to take care of serious illnesses, — or if there is another [Ebola] patient in New York — I think that will also be beneficial," Zucker said.

About 150,000 New Yorkers have received the flu vaccine, since it became available in August, up from about 100,000 this time last year.

Zucker said flu season doesn't peak until mid-winter, and it is not yet clear whether the current vaccine will be an effective match against the strains of the virus that are just starting to circulate.