Flu shots, Yes it’s Time!

Yes, it’s that time of year again. Flu shots.

Flu shots are recommended for all individuals 6 months of age or older. You may not know that there are also “enhanced” vaccines available for individuals 65 years of age and older. These specially formulated vaccines help to elicit a more robust immune response among older individuals. This year’s flu vaccine protects against four specific strains.

Haven’t received your COVID-19 vaccine yet? The CDC now says it’s OK to receive both the COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccine at the same time. While it’s impossible to say with certainty what will happen this winter, as the country begins to open up, the CDC believes it’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will be circulating at the same time due to relaxed COVID-19 mitigation measures throughout the country. We are already seeing a resurgence of other common respiratory viruses such as a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Continuing with some of the same measures that have been in place to protect against COVID-19 including good hand hygiene, mask-wearing, and social distancing will also help to protect you against all respiratory viruses. However, one of the most important things to remember about vaccination is that not only does it protect the recipient, it also reduces community transmission. So by getting vaccinated, you help protect your friends, family, and loved ones. For more information, check out the CDC website for Frequently Asked Influenza Questions.