COVID-19 And The Flu Season: A Twindemic You Want To Avoid

COVID-19 and the flu is one twindemic you want to avoid. This year the CDC is recommending that everyone over the age of 6 months should get a flu shot in September, or October, but before the flu season begins. As symptoms for both viruses often overlap you don’t want to blow off a flu shot this year. Schools are now in session and kids are the most common germ spreaders. People are also still traveling and it has led to the Delta variant and other variants to sneak into Connecticut. AFC Urgent Care Vernon is aware of the possible flu and COVID-19 combo and is here to give you updated information on how to avoid the flu and stay safe from COVID-19.  

The flu vaccine has some new updates in 2021

Flu vaccines are made months in advance to combat against possible strains we commonly see in the fall and winter. In response to COVID-19 still being around, The CDC and scientists have made sure to reinforce the strength of the vaccines so that people that are high risk or immunocompromised will have full flu protection.    AFC urgent care Vernon offers the quadrivalent flu vaccine to cover 4 strains of the flu virus. In addition, there are two new flu vaccines that are now available for adults over the age of 65. This is important because the elderly are considered high risk individuals and protecting them from at least the flu is better than no protection.    Right now, the quadrivalent high-dose vaccine is available for this age group and replaces the former trivalent dose. There’s also another quadrivalent adjuvanted vaccine for seniors that has an additional influenza B component.    

Who is at risk for having complications from the flu?

• Pregnant Women
• People 65 years of age and older
• Kids 5 years of age and younger
• People who have Chronic Diseases, such as:
• Heart Disease
• Metabolic Diseases (Diabetes)
• Asthma
• Pulmonary Disease
• Liver Disease
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Immunosuppressed individuals 

I didn’t get a Flu shot last year and didn’t get sick. Why do I need one now? COVID-19 is still circulating around the world and there is evidence that shows that you can still contract another respiratory illness while having COVID-19 at the same time. You don’t want to contract both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time because it can be hard to diagnose and treat. This is why we highly suggest getting the flu shot as soon as you can so you can avoid this. This way, if you do get COVID-19 we can rule out the flu and you will know for sure that it’s COVID-19. Another reason why it’s important to get vaccinated is because we want to protect high risk individuals like the elderly and the immunocompromised. Flu shots for younger age groups count more than you think. We don't want to potentially put an elderly person at risk from contracting both the flu and COVID-19. Now is not the time to be irresponsible and carefree.  

The flu shot is the best safeguard to avoid a twindemic

  The best safeguard to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot. You can avoid the twindemic by getting a flu vaccine at AFC urgent Care Vernon. We have plenty of flu vaccines available and if you need COVID-19 testing done, we can do that too! At AFC Urgent Care Vernon you can come to our center with NO appointment necessary. We are located at 179 Talcottville Rd, Vernon, CT 06066. AFC Urgent Care Vernon is open 7 days a week Monday-Friday 8am-8pm and Saturday-Sunday 8am-5pm. We accept most insurances and are offering both the quadrivalent flu vaccine and COVID-19 testing 7 days a week.