“Should I get the flu shot OR get the COVID-19 booster shot?”. Why is this still a question? If you look at what happened last year, many of you had gotten sick with either the Omicron variant, the flu or had both at the same time. This caused many of us to cancel our favorite holidays.

Let’s not make the same mistake as this time around as we now have Monkeypox to deal with, too. Getting vaccinated for the flu and COVID-19 will be your best bet at protecting yourself and others when visiting family during the holidays. AFC Urgent Care Dedham now offers the 2022 quadrivalent flu vaccine. Here’s what you should know so you can avoid all 3 viruses altogether!

New Updates For The 2022 Flu Vaccines

First, let’s get an old myth out of the way. Receiving a flu shot will not give you the flu. The virus in your shot is not live,  and has been weakened to the point that it will not actually get you sick, but will encourage your body to start creating antibodies to fight a possible flu. That being said, let’s talk about which one will be right for you.

There are many different types of flu vaccines, and the determining factors for which one you should get mostly come down to your age, and current state of health. Regardless, the flu shot is either going to be trivalent, meaning it protects against three strains of the virus, or quadrivalent, meaning it protects against four. AFC Urgent Care Dedham offers the quadrivalent flu vaccine. There have been updates to the vaccines to better combat possible strains in the 2022/2023 flu season. Here an updated list from The CDC about the new components in the vaccines:

• The egg-based H1N1 vaccine component was updated from an A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus to an A/Guangdong-Maonan/SWL1536/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus.
• For the 2022-2023 flu season, there are three flu vaccines that are preferentially recommended for people 65 years and older. These are Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine.
• The cell- or recombinant-based H1N1 vaccine component was updated from an A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus to an A/Hawaii/70/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus.
• The egg-based H3N2 vaccine component was updated from an A/Kansas/14/2017 (H3N2)-like virus to an A/Hong Kong/2671/2019 (H3N2)-like virus.
• The cell- or recombinant-based H3N2 vaccine component was updated from an A/Kansas/14/2017 (H3N2)-like virus to an A/Hong Kong/45/2019 (H3N2)-like virus.
• The B/Victoria lineage vaccine component was updated from a B/Colorado/06/2017 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus to a B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
• The B/Yamagata lineage vaccine component was not updated.

It is important to remember that infants under 6 months should NOT receive a flu shot because their immune systems aren’t strong enough to handle the vaccine. 

What happens if I get both COVID-19 and the flu this season?

Symptoms often overlap. The only difference is that you don’t lose your sense of smell and taste if you have the flu. It might be hard to breathe through your nose if you have the flu, but if you can taste the flavor from chicken soup, then it’s just the flu.

The real threat here is if you get both COVID-19 and the flu at the same time. Ideally, we highly suggest you get vaccinated for both so you can avoid this, but if you’re unsure if you have COVID-19 or the flu you can come get tested at our center for COVID-19 any day of the week. 

If you don’t have COVID-19, then chances are it’s just the flu. Again, you can avoid both by getting vaccinated for both viruses. Don’t make the same mistake like last year, where some of you skipped out on both vaccines and had to cancel your favorite winter holidays.

Let’s Not Forget About The Recent Monkeypox Outbreak

As you’ve probably heard on the news, there has been an outbreak of Monkeypox in the U.S. and around the world in recent months, according to the CDC. It has been reported in several states recently. Although Monkeypox (MPV) is found in many countries across Africa, the recent spike in infections has raised concerns for the well-being of our friends and families here in Dedham and the surrounding MA area’s.

Symptoms overlap with the flu, but you’ll know if it’s Monkeypox because of the addition of rash/legions:

• Rash or Lesions (the most obvious symptom that appears after 1-3 days)
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Backaches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion

It’s best to practice the same safety precautions as we do for COVID and flu, now for Monkeypox as well. This includes, self isolating if you do have monkeypox, washing your hands frequently throughout the day, and to mask up (we encourage it this winter to avoid all 3 viruses). 

You can also stay informed by checking in with The CDC guidelines, vaccine information, number of cases and where it’s spreading.

Don’t wait. Come Get Your Flu Shot Today!

The CDC recommends that everyone get their flu shots in September, or October before the start of the flu season. AFC Urgent Care Dedham is aware of the possible “triple pandemic” and offers the quadrivalent vaccine 7 days a week. Walk-in or make an appointment online, today for a flu shot! 

You can walk into our AFC location in Dedham, MA any day of the week. We accept most insurances and we also offer COVID-19 testing 7 days a week with results on the same day with our RAPID COVID-19 testing service.

For information on the latest COVID booster and the Monkey Pox vaccine centers, please visit your local pharmacy or check the Massachusetts DPH website for a link to available locations.