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Flu Shots And COVID-19 Vaccines: Prepare For The Twindemic

September 30, 2021
For the majority of people, September and October are considered annual flu shot months. For others it’s also time for their COVID-19 booster shot. And just so you know, for those eligible,  The CDC states that you can get both your booster shot (or your 1st time shot) and a flu vaccine at the same time.   AFC Urgent Care Springfield is aware of the possible “twindemic” and is ready to help our friends and families in the Springfield community avoid it!     We also offer the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for those of you who have not gotten vaccinated yet. 

AFC Urgent Care 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 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.
  AFC Springfield offers flu shots for seniors   There are two new vaccines licensed for use during the 2021-2022 flu season. To better prepare seniors there is now a quadrivalent high-dose vaccine that replaces the former trivalent dose. There’s also another quadrivalent adjuvanted vaccine for those above the age of 65 that has an additional influenza B component.    

Who should get a flu vaccine 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 or any other COVID-19 related risks, then you should get it soon! This category 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 and to children.   

Why should I get the flu shot? I didn’t get the flu last year

Since COVID-19 is still here and there is inconsistent behavior on practicing social distancing and wearing masks, it is hard to predict anything about the flu season. You definitely don’t want to contract both COVID-19 and the flu, 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 more social,  seeing friends and family and going to populated places which may be a breeding ground for both viruses.   

Will a flu shot protect me from COVID-19?

A flu shot will not protect you from COVID-19. Vice versa, a COVID-19 vaccine will not protect you from the flu. These are two entirely separate vaccines which 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.

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

We really hope that you don’t get to this point. If you get your flu shot and follow CDC health and safety guidelines for COVID-19, then you might have a chance to avoid this. But, if you don’t get a flu shot and you manage to get both, it will be really difficult to diagnose and treat.     You can always get tested for COVID-19 at AFC Urgent Care Springfield with no appointment needed. We can also evaluate you for the flu too! 

Get your flu shot and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine today!

AFC Urgent Care Springfield cannot stress it enough: Avoid the twindemic and get vaccinated for both COVID-19 and the Flu.  Learn more about our Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.  Our staff is fully equipped with PPE gear and we make sure our facility is clean and sanitized for you. AFC in Springfield also offers COVID-19 testing 7 days a week with results on the same day with our Rapid COVID-19 testing services.

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