Joan Duff of Endwell isn't taking any chances.

She's never had the flu.

"I've heard horror stories about it, about how you get sick. And I just don't want to get sick. I've got too many better things to do than be sick," says duff.

Joan is one of hundreds of people getting vaccinated here at the Broome County Health Department's first flu shot clinic.

"The flu kills approximately 36 thousand people a year. And if you get a flu shot and the flu shot is a good match, it's a good chance that your could be protected against something that could make you very sick," says Diane O'Hora of Broome County Health Department.

O'Hora says not everyone needs a flu shot, just those at high risk for complications or coming in contact with the virus.

They include young children, pregnant woman, health care workers, and people with chronic medial conditions.

O'Hora stresses that it's important for everyone to help prevent spreading both flu and colds.

A couple simple things to keep in mind, include covering your mouth when you cough.

But don't use your hands to do, use your arm.

And most importantly, wash your hands.

Make sure you use plenty of soap, and scrub for a good 20 seconds.

And if it's the fear of needles that's keeping you from getting the flu shot, Joan says don't be scared.

"Not bad at all. Just a little sting that's it. Bee stings are worse than this," says Duff.

A little sting instead of a potentially deadly sickness.

The health department says the official flu season doesn't start until December.

It says there's no way to tell just how serious this flu season will be.

But the sooner you get vaccinated, the more time your body has to build up immunity to the virus.