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5 reasons doctors urge everyone to get a flu shot now
As our country grapples with the
COVID-19 pandemic, a potentially
dangerous season is beginning: fl u
season. The threat of the pandemic will
become more complicated by increasing
cases of the fl u, making more people ill and
putting further strain on the U.S. health
care system.
Pediatric epidemiologist and infectious
disease specialist Dr. Emily Godbout, DO,
MPH, from Children’s Hospital of Richmond
at VCU offers fi ve crucial reasons
everyone should get a fl u shot this year.
1. Flu shots help reduce
serious respiratory illness
While some people who get vaccinated
may still contract infl uenza, the fl u shot
typically prevents about 70 of 100 people
who receive it from developing a moderate
to severe fl u infection. So even though the
vaccine might not completely prevent the
fl u, it can help keep you from getting sick
enough that you have to go to the hospital.
“Reducing the overall burden of respiratory
illnesses is really important to help
protect vulnerable populations at risk for
severe disease,” says Dr. Godbout, “And it
also helps lessen the resulting burden on
our health care system, which is crucial
throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Godbout adds that while practices people
follow to help guard against COVID-19,
such as handwashing, social distancing and
wearing masks, will probably help decrease
the spread of infl uenza, the fl u shot is still
the single most effective way to reduce the
spread of the fl u.
2. Flu shots are safe
“The fl u shot is very safe and effective
at helping prevent severe disease and
hospitalization,” Godbout confi rms. “I
know people might have reservations
about coming into the doctor’s offi ce, but
I can assure everyone that our providers
are really vigilant about taking appropriate
precautions to make sure everyone is safe.”
The doctor also reassures patients that
they will not contract infl uenza from the
vaccine. “The virus is inactivated,” she
explains, “so it can’t actually cause the fl u
infection after you get the shot.”
Flu shots are recommended for anyone
six months old and older.
PHOTO VIA BPT
3. Flu shots are updated
every year
“The U.S. fl u vaccine is reviewed every
single year and updated to match circulating
fl u viruses,” explains Dr. Godbout.
“The fl u vaccine can typically protect
against three or four different viruses.
Since the virus changes from year to year,
immunization or natural infection from the
previous year is not protective.”
She also stresses that our antibody response
- what helps us fi ght the virus - can
decrease over time, so a yearly dose will
help boost the antibody response before the
start of the infl uenza season.
4. Influenza and COVID-19 share
some overlapping symptoms
It’s important to know that some symptoms
of COVID-19 and infl uenza are similar. If you
have symptoms you are concerned about, it’s
best to call your health care provider right
away. You may need to be tested for both
the fl u and COVID-19 to be certain what is
causing you to be sick, so your doctor can
recommend the best course of treatment.
While having the fl u shot doesn’t mean
you can’t get the fl u, as discussed above, a
vaccination will at least lessen the severity
of your symptoms - giving you and your
loved ones peace of mind.
Reducing the spread of fl u cases overall,
by getting vaccinated, will help cut down
on the number of seriously ill patients that
clinics and hospitals need to diagnose and
treat, which will help everyone get through
the winter season more easily.
5. A flu shot protects you
throughout the season
Now is the best time to get vaccinated,
as it takes a couple of weeks for antibodies
to develop in your body. The vaccination
will continue to protect you throughout the
worst months of the fl u season.
“It’s a great idea to get the fl u shot right
before fl u season, so September and October
are really good times to get vaccinated,”
Godbout recommends. “We will continue
to offer the fl u shot throughout the fall and
winter, but ideally we want to see people
get it by the end of October.”
For the latest on fl u and COVID-19 visit
vcuhealth.org.
Courtesy BPT
For essential workers, a flu
shot is essential protection
COVID-19 has helped remind
all of us just how
essential our essential
workers are. Whether you’re a
health care worker, child care
provider, grocery store worker,
farmer, teacher or delivery
person - you have been on the
front lines to keep our society
functioning.
We are grateful for you - you
are essential. And so is your
health. That’s what makes a fl u
shot essential for you, too.
Getting a fl u vaccine has been
shown to reduce the risk of getting
sick, being hospitalized or
dying from fl u. In 2019-2020,
fl u vaccination prevented an
estimated 7.52 million illnesses,
3.69 million medical visits,
105,000 hospitalizations and
6,300 deaths due to infl uenza.
This week is National Infl uenza
Vaccination Week, and there’s
still time during the 2020-2021
fl u season to get your fl u shot if
you haven’t already so that you
have one less thing to worry
about.
For everyone, but especially
for essential workers who may
be at higher risk of exposure to
fl u or other respiratory infections
from frequent interactions with
the public, a fl u shot is the best
way to protect yourself from fl u
illness.
* Protections from a fl u shot is
especially important for those at
higher risk of developing serious
fl u complications, which includes
people who are 65 years of age
and older, pregnant women and
people with certain chronic
medical conditions like heart
disease, asthma and diabetes. It
can prevent hospitalization and
even be life-saving.
* Your fl u shot may help protect
your loved ones - who may be at
higher risk for serious fl u complications
- from infection, too.
* For every child care worker,
grocery store clerk and delivery
person who is protected from
fl u, there is one person less likely
to spread fl u illness. The more
people vaccinated against fl u,
the more people are protected
from fl u.
* Preventing flu illness
also decreases the burden on
the healthcare system at a time
when it is already being tested by
an unprecedented health crisis.
COURTESY BPT
As an essential worker, you are
providing essential services to
your community - but remember
that your health is essential, too.
Get your annual fl u shot today.
There’s still time!
Learn where to get your fl u
shot today at VaccineFinder.org.
Courtesy BPT
8 December 10, 2020 Manhattan’s Premier Doctors Schneps Media
/vcuhealth.org
/VaccineFinder.org
