It's that time of the year again. The annual flu shot in previous years may have been at the back of your mind. Public health officials like Mary Brummagyn hope New Yorkers get it done as soon as possible this year.

"Let's get it right now, OK? That's important," she said. "Let's get it early. Let's get our immunity going."

The push is also coming ahead of a potential second spike of COVID-19 that could further strain the public health system. 

Brummagyn is a public health nurse and oversees immunizations for Albany County's health department. It's up to local public health officials like her to get the word out about the flu shot this year. 

"We've generally worked behind the scenes, historically," she said. "But currently because of the coronavirus that's been put on public health we've been out front."

At issue is the concern the flu season could open up what amounts to a two-front war: The coronavirus pandemic and a possible influx of flu patients. 

"We don't want a twindemic, if you will," Brummagyn said. "We don't want to have an epidemic of the flu as well as the pandemic of the coronavirus."

And then there's the concern that flu patients could create a backlog for those who are seeking coronavirus tests. The hope is that if people get their flu shots, they won't contribute to an influx of people with COVID-like symptoms. 

"The symptoms are the same when you think about -- fever, chills, respiratory symptoms," Brummagyn said. "So how do we differentiate? Let's get our flu shots. Let's talk that off the table if we can."

New Yorkers can sign up for one through the Department of Health or at most pharmacies