AFC Urgent Care Marlborough is aware of the possible “twindemic” and is ready to help our friends and families in the Marlborough community get their flu shots. We also offer the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for those of you who have not gotten vaccinated yet.  And just so you know,  The CDC states that you can get both your booster shot (or your 1st time shot) and a flu vaccine at the same time. So, there is no excuse to skip out on one or the other.    Now let’s take a look at what’s new with the flu vaccine this 2021/2022 flu season.  

AFC Urgent Care Marlborough offers the Quadrivalent Flu shot

Flu shots are made months in advance to combat strains of influenza that may appear this flu season. All of our AFC Urgent Care locations in Massachusetts are offering the highly effective Quadrivalent flu shot.    This year there are a few updates to the Flu vaccines for the 2021/2022 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.

  Flu vaccines change as flu strains change. There are two new vaccines licensed for use during the 2021-2022 flu season. To better prepare the eldery there is now a quadrivalent high-dose vaccine that replaces the former trivalent dose. There’s also another quadrivalent adjuvanted vaccine for folks above the age of 65 that has an additional influenza B component.    

Who should get the flu shot this year?

Anyone above the age of 6 months should get vaccinated for the flu. If you are over the age of 65, pregnant, have health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, any immunocompromised conditions,  or any COVID-19 related risks, then you should get it soon! These categories of people are considered high risk for both the flu and COVID-19. Now is not the time to be carefree or irresponsible. There are still people traveling and the younger age groups may pose a risk for spreading both the flu and COVID-19 to high risk individuals.   

AFC also carries flu shots for seniors

  There are two new vaccines licensed for use during the 2021-2022 flu season. To better prepare the eldery there is now a quadrivalent high-dose vaccine that replaces the former trivalent dose. There’s also another quadrivalent adjuvanted vaccine for the elderly (above the age of 65) that has an additional influenza B component.    

Why do we need to get vaccinated for the flu?

Since COVID-19 is still around and there is inconsistent behavior on practicing social distancing, wearing masks and cleaning it makes it hard to predict anything about the flu season. You definitely don’t want to get both, especially if you are immunocompromised. For those of you who are young and healthy, your flu shot counts too, if not more because you are going around seeing friends, family and going to populated places that may be a breeding ground for both viruses. 

I’ve already been COVID-19 vaccinated, do I need to get the flu shot too?

Just because you got vaccinated for COVID-19 a few months ago, doesn’t mean you can skip out on your flu shot. A COVID-19 vaccine will not protect you from the flu. These are two entirely separate vaccines that are designed to protect against two different viruses.    If you haven’t gotten your COVID-19 vaccine yet, The CDC announced that you can get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 at the same time. Ultimately, you’ll be able to protect yourself and others from both the flu and COVID-19 this flu season.

Is it possible to get sick with the flu and COVID-19 at the same time?

Yes, it’s possible. This is why we highly suggest that you get vaccinated for both to avoid contracting both. And when you do get vaccinated make sure you limit exposure to others and avoid unnecessary travel for 14 days. Vaccines usually take a FULL 14 days to build full immunity.   You can always get tested for COVID-19 at AFC Urgent Care Marlborough with no appointment needed. We can also evaluate you for the flu! 

Now offering the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and the quadrivalent flu shot

AFC Urgent Care Marlborough encourages families and friends in the Marlborough community to get vaccinated for both COVID-19 and the Flu.  We offer the  Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about what to expect here. Our staff is fully equipped with PPE gear and we make sure our facility is clean and sanitized for you. AFC in Marlborough also offers COVID-19 testing 7 days a week with results on the same day with our Rapid COVID-19 testing services. Come see us at 38 Boston Post Road West, in Marlborough 7 days a week, open M-F 8am-8pm and weekends from 8am-5pm.