September and October have always been considered the months where people get their “annual” flu shot. Now, we also have to consider COVID booster shots because the virus continues to mutate. Last year, many people skipped out on their booster shots and flu vaccine causing us to cancel our favorite holidays.
AFC Urgent Care New Bedford doesn’t want you to make the same mistake as last year. We are aware of the potential threat of the flu, COVID-19 and even monkeypox can have on our 2022 winter holidays. AFC in New Bedford wants to help you stay informed so you can avoid them altogether. We now offer the newly updated quadrivalent flu vaccine and continuous COVID-19 testing for you to prepare this holiday season.
AFC Urgent Care New Bedford offers the Updated 2022 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 latest Quadrivalent flu shot.
This year there are a few updates to the Flu vaccines for the 2022/2023 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.
I Already Had The Flu And The Omicron Variant Last Year. I Should Still Have Immunity, Right?
The flu vaccine is meant to protect against this year's strain of the flu virus. It changes every year, which is more important that you get vaccinated as mask mandates have been lifted in most places.
On the other hand, the same can be said about getting the new updated COVID booster shot as the virus continues to mutate. The new COVID booster shot will protect you from the current strain and all the previous strains.
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 seeing friends and family and going to populated public places and events which may be a breeding ground for both viruses.
Should I Also Be Worried About Monkeypox?
You probably heard it in the news. But, there has been a recent outbreak of monkeypox in the U.S and in other countries as well. This virus knows no borders either. It is just as contagious as COVID and the Flu making it a potential threat for the holiday season.
In fact, symptoms are similar to the flu, with the exception of lesions and a rash making that the main symptom of Monkeypox. The other symptoms include:
- Rash or Lesions (the most obvious symptom that appears after 1-3 days)
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backaches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
Forget what you heard on Social Media or some meme online. Anyone can get this virus no matter your gender, nationality, or orientation. Monkeypox can easily be contracted through: respiratory droplets, sharing personal objects, kissing, hugging, and even sex.
You can also stay informed by checking in with The CDC guidelines, vaccine information, number of cases and where it’s spreading. 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.
AFC Urgent Care New Bedford Now Offering The Flu Vaccine. Today and every day throughout the fall!
AFC Urgent Care New Bedford cannot stress it enough. It’s better to rule out the flu by getting vaccinated before the start of flu season. You can walk in or make an appointment online for a flu shot. We offer them 7 days a week.
AFC in New Bedford also offers COVID-19 testing 7 days a week with results on the same day with our Rapid COVID-19 testing services. We’re open 7 days a week from 8am-8pm weekdays and 8am-5pm Saturdays and Sundays.
Please remember to take extra precautions as the flu season/winter season progresses. Most of us are no longer wearing masks and many of our “holiday gatherings” will be indoors meaning more of a risk for contracting any of the viruses mentioned earlier.
