Two for One This Year: Flu Shot and COVID-19 Booster

 

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.