Woo hoo! It’s a big year. Get two immunizations with only
one trip to your pharmacy, health care provider office or health department for
fall 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the
flu and Covid-19 booster are safe to be given at the same time. One in each
arm.
We were doing rather well with flu when everyone was wearing
masks. Now that most people are not wearing masks, we can welcome flu back.
Never had the flu, never want it. As we anticipate more flu this year and into
2023, it is a good idea to get the flu shot along with the new and improved
COVID-19 booster with the omicron subvariants (BA.4, BA.5.). Both shots
together provide protection against severe illness. They also increase the
likelihood of fewer disruptions in life for you and your family over the next
few months.
The flu vaccine is updated every year after scientists have
monitored flu strains from around the world. The data is then used to update the
annual flu vaccine for the fall. It isn’t always perfect because, as we have
seen time and time again, viruses change. It’s the nature of the beast. Viruses
modify themselves as they drift and shift around the world. It’s science. If
you didn’t know that about the flu, you have been given a real-world lesson about
change since COVID-19 has been with us.
The same concept that is used for the annual flu vaccine was
used in the updating of the COVID-19 booster. This new COVID-19 booster was
designed to target both the original coronavirus strain and the omicron
subvariants (BA.4, BA.5) that have been with us for the last few months. As we
have seen, the original COVID-19 vaccines were effective at preventing death
and severe disease in most people. However, breakthrough infections and
reinfections are becoming more common as the virus continues to evolve.
The link below is a great comparison between the flu and
COVID-19 and covers the following:
- Similarities and differences
- Signs and symptoms
- How long symptoms appear after exposure and infection
- How long someone can spread the virus
- How it spreads
- People at higher risk of severe disease
- Complications
- Approved treatments
- Vaccines
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm
It is looking like we may have an annual COVID-19 booster,
just like our annual flu shots. As we jump into fall, have your COVID-19 plan
ready. Keep some over-the-counter tests (still free through many places) ready
at home in case you need to know if it’s COVID or not, keep extra masks on-hand
and keep up to date on vaccines. It is very easy to schedule these
immunizations at a time convenient for you. Help protect your family and
friends as we enter a new season.
