COVID Makes Getting Your Flu Shot Even More Important
With COVID on a rampage across the U.S., it may seem silly worrying about getting your flu shot. After all, what’s a “meager flu” in comparison with this pandemic? However, getting your flu shot is actually even more vital in times like these than it has ever been. The CDC strongly recommends getting your flu shot during the COVID-19 outbreak, and manufacturers of the flu shot have actually made 30% more stock than usual this year in the hopes that more people will choose to get immunized.
Can You Get a Flu Shot Safely During the Pandemic?
It’s possible to get the flu shot while social distancing and remaining safe and healthy, and it’s important – not only for your safety, but for the safety of those around you – to do so, especially with the holidays approaching. Have more questions? Just read on.
Will the Flu Shot Help Fight the Coronavirus?
The flu shot does not fight the coronavirus – in fact, the flu shot has no effect on your likelihood of getting the coronavirus at all, because they are two completely different diseases. However, it is still important to get the flu shot, because the flu can have devastating effects on your body, and can even be deadly to the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
Is COVID-19 Deadlier Than the Flu?
It may surprise you to learn that the flu is far from being a benign illness; while it tends to only gravely affect the elderly and immuno-compromised, it is responsible for many deaths. The CDC estimates that between 12,000 and 61,000 people die each year as a result of complications from seasonal influenza.
Comparatively, over 200,000 people in the United States have died due to complications from the coronavirus since January. COVID-19 does not have an official mortality rate yet, but according to John Hopkins, it’s thought to be “substantially higher (possibly 10 times or more) than that of most strains of the flu.”
So while it’s probably safe to say that the coronavirus is deadlier than the flu, the flu is still a serious beast.
Is It Possible to Have the Flu and COVID-19 at the Same Time?
Yes. According to the CDC, it is “possible to test positive for the flu,” as well as other respiratory infections, and COVID-19 at the same time. This is yet another reason why getting the flu shot this year is of critical importance.
Is There a Vaccine for the Coronavirus?
At this time, there is currently no publicly-available vaccine for COVID-19, although a vaccine is in the works. It may be a long time until a vaccine for the coronavirus is available to the public – possibly not even until 2021. For now, the best way to prevent contracting COVID-19 is by following the CDC’s guidelines of:
- avoiding close contact with others
- wearing a face covering while in public
- always covering coughs and sneezes, and
- washing your hands regularly.
When Should I Get the Flu Shot?
The flu shot takes about two weeks to become effective, so the best time to get it is in October – by the end of October at the latest. The flu shot is effective for six months, so it will cover you until April and through January and February, which are usually the worst months for the flu.
44% of Texans get the flu shot every year, compared to 48% of Americans nationally. This year, do your part and get the flu shot – not only to protect yourself, but also to protect your family and loved ones during the holidays. With the COVID pandemic, it’s more important than ever to get immunized.
Call Blue Star Diagnostics now at (469)-656-7999 to schedule your flu shot.