MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Last year, only one out of every three people got a flu vaccine in Milwaukee County. Health officials are urging residents to get the shot this year in hopes of a mild flu season. 

This year's strain of the flu shot fights against three strains of the virus. For those 65-year-old and up, a stronger version is available. 

County Executive David Crowley reminded people, at a press conference Monday morning, Oct. 27, that even healthy individuals can spread the flu to those who are high risk. 

Doctors say the vaccine takes two weeks before it's most effective in a patient. 

"Last year, Wisconsin had nearly 7,000 hospitalizations associated with complications of seasonal flu, making it one of the most severe flu seasons we've seen in the last decade," said Johnson. "Nationally, last year's flu season had one of the highest numbers of pediatric deaths ever reported. This underscores how important it is for Wisconsinites of all ages to get vaccinated."

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has a list of free clinics that offer Covid and flu shots to children and adults-- with or without insurance.