The first Maricopa County flu death of the 2015-2016 season is on record.
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health confirmed the death of woman in her late 70s with underlying medical conditions who had been hospitalized on Tuesday.
The health department stresses the importance of annual flu shots.
"Influenza is a big deal. Every year, right here in our community, hundreds of people will die from complications caused by the flu, and thousands will be hospitalized," said Dr. Bob England, MCDPH director, in a statement. "Getting your flu shot is as much about community protection as it is about personal protection. While we're protecting ourselves when we get the shot, we're also preventing the flu from spreading to our family and neighbors."
Visit StopTheSpreadAZ to find a flu-shot location in your area.
