Did you enjoy your Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays over the last two years? Oh wait, many of you had to cancel your plans because you skipped out on your flu shot and COVID-19 booster shot. Last year, our favorite holidays got canceled for many because of the Omicron variant and the confusion between COVID and flu. Let’s not make the same mistake as last year, especially since we now have monkeypox to worry about. The perfect trifecta of viruses!

Thankfully, we now offer the quadrivalent flu vaccine and continuous COVID-19 testing and vaccines to help you have peace of mind this winter. We’ll also continue to provide updated information on COVID-19, Monkeypox and the flu season of 2022 so you can avoid them altogether!

The CDC Recommends Getting Your Flu Shot In September Or October Before The Start Of Flu Season!

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 New Britain offers the quadrivalent flu vaccine. Ther CDC has issued updates to the vaccines to better combat possible strains in the 2022/2023 flu season. 

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. 

They are also at a high risk of flu complications if parents don’t get their flu shots. Remember,  you can reduce the chances of your newborn getting the flu if you get the flu shot before the season begins. If you have any questions or concerns about which vaccine is best for you and your loved ones, contact us. We’re here to help make it easy for you.

You Should Also Plan to Get Your COVID-19 Booster Shot, Too!

The CDC suggested last year that it’s okay to get both the flu vaccine and your COVID-19 shot or booster shot at the same time. There is no need to space these vaccines out because they both are designed to provide immunity for two separate viruses that will more than likely become problematic this winter season!

Now that mask mandates are more relaxed, you don’t want to spread the Flu or COVID to your friends or relatives that might be immunocompromised, elderly or unvaccinated.

You Will Also Want To Avoid Monkeypox During The Flu Season

As you’ve probably heard, 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 New Britain and the surrounding CT 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 about numbers 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 CT state dph website for a link to available locations.

AFC Urgent Care New Britain Offers The Quadrivalent Flu Shot

The CDC recommends that everyone get their flu shots in September, or October before the start of the flu season. AFC Urgent Care New Britain is aware of the viruses (COVID, Monkeypox, Flu, Colds and more) circulating around and wants to help, beginning with a flu shot. We are now offering the quadrivalent vaccine 7 days a week on a walk-in basis or by appointment, if you prefer.

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.