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2 Washington deaths reported in 2016-2017 flu season

File: A woman receives a flu vaccine shot, at a community fair in Brownsville, Texas. (Jason Hoekema/The Brownsville Herald via AP)

Two people in Washington State have died from the flu at the start of the 2016-2017 season, according to an update from the Washington State Department of Health.

KIRO 7 News reported in September that a person in Spokane County died at the end of August.

>> First Washington state death of 2016-2017 flu season reported

A spokeswoman confirmed on Tuesday that the second death happened in King County. The person died in September.

The department of health told KIRO 7 News that flu activity is low in state, and that these deaths are not earlier than previous seasons.

Snohomish County health officials sent a news release out Wednesday reminding residents need to keep themselves safe, despite no flu deaths have been reported in that county.

"Never become complacent about influenza. It can make people very ill and cause us to miss work or school. And although most people will recover, influenza remains a leading cause of death, especially among the very youngest and oldest," wrote Dr. Goldbaum, health officer and director for the Snohomish Health District.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over 6 months old receive an influenza vaccination as soon as possible because it takes about two weeks after receiving the shot for a person’s body to build immunity.

VIDEO: Doctor answers questions about the flu

Sixty-eight people died Washington state during last year’s flu season, but that’s fewer than the 2012-2013 season, during which 157 people died.

Here's what to know about this year's flu season, a few things are new:

  • Only injectable flu shots are recommended for use this season.
  • Flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating viruses.
  • There will be some new vaccines on the market this season.
  • The recommendations for vaccination of people with egg allergies have changed.

Read the full Q&A from the CDC website here.

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