Last year, we were plagued with more than just the flu. The COVID-19 Omicron variant ruined many of our winter holidays and we had hand, throat and mouth disease circulating around schools. If you thought last year was bad, we now have an additional virus to worry about: the latest outbreak of Monkeypox, or MPV, is highly contagious as well.
How is that for a Viral Trifecta?
As we approach the colder months, also known as “flu season”, AFC Urgent Care Danbury wants to help you stay informed about all three viruses. We are now offering the quadrivalent flu vaccine so that you can protect yourself, and others as well against flu.
The 2022 flu vaccine has some new updates
AFC urgent care Danbury offers the quadrivalent flu vaccine to cover 4 strains of the flu virus. Here is the list of new components in the quadrivalent flu vaccines for the 2022/2023 flu season:
- 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.
- 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.
Should I Skip My Flu Vaccine And COVID Booster Shot?
Short answer: NO!!
Last year, many of you skipped out on your booster shots and even your flu shot. The Omicron variant canceled many of our favorite winter holidays. Let’s not make that same mistake twice. This 2022 flu season is predicted to be the worst one in quite a few years.
COVID-19 is also still circulating around the world and is continuing to mutate, ande might have a new mutation by the time Christmas comes around. The point is…you don’t want to contract the flu, COVID or both at the same time!
It is also important to get a flu vaccine right now because we want to help protect high risk individuals like the elderly and the immunocompromised. Flu shots for the younger age groups count more than you think, especially since mask mandates are now optional for most travel and for most events. We know you’re tired of wearing masks. We all are. However, as time has shown that the younger age groups have continued to go out during COVID-19 and take more risks, this potentially puts an elderly person, the immunocompromised and the unvaccinated at risk of contracting both the flu and/or COVID-19. Now is not the time to be irresponsible and carefree.
What Is Monkeypox And Should I Be Worried About It?
There has been an outbreak of Monkeypox in multiple countries across the world, as well as in several U.S. states, according to CDC data. Because of the recent outbreak, Monkeypox has raised concerns about the safety of our friends and family in the Greater Danbury community. It is caused by a virus in the Orthopoxvirus group, which includes Smallpox.
To avoid stereotyping or ignoring this condition, it is critical to understand that it has the potential to cause severe illness---regardless of someones sexual orientation or nationality. Direct contact with a person who has Monkeypox is the most risky way of contracting it. But, it can also spread through: respiratory droplets, sharing objects/clothing, hugging, kissing, and even sex.
The most common symptoms of Monkeypox are:
- Rash or Lesions (the most obvious symptom)
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backaches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
As we’ve learned to take hygiene more seriously because of COVID, the same principles apply when avoiding Monkeypox. For instance, wearing a mask, washing your hands, isolating if you do get Monkeypox, getting vaccinated, etc.
It’s best to follow up with The CDC guidelines on Monkeypox and how it’s spreading to avoid it this winter.
Start The Winter Off With A Flu Shot At AFC Urgent Care Danbury
Should you get vaccinated for both COVID-19 and the flu? Yes. Some of us are probably due for a booster shot and a new, more comprehensive booster shot is just around the corner. Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 will help protect you from the COVID-19 virus. But, it will not protect you against the flu. This being said, continuing to wear a mask in high risk situations has proven to help lessen the risks of contracting either.
The best safeguard to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot. We are now offering the quadrivalent flu vaccine at AFC urgent Care Danbury. We have plenty of flu vaccines available and if you need COVID-19 testing done, we can do that too!
We have 2 more locations serving the Greater Danbury area on 2 Main st. and 100 Mill Plain Road. We also accept most insurances and also offer COVID-19 testing 7 days a week. Walk-in or make an appointment, today!
*For information on the latest COVID booster and the Monkey Pox vaccine locations, please visit your local pharmacy or check the CT state dph website for a link to available locations.
