Avoid The COVID-19 and Flu “Twindemic” By Getting Your Flu Shot!
September 29, 2021
Do you remember when COVID-19 first came to the U.S? That was at the peak of Flu season, 2020, and many of us were confused about the symptoms because they often overlap with one another. As more information about the COVID-19 virus has become available over the past few months, we are now approaching the 2021/2022 flu season. AFC Urgent Care Torrington is aware of the possible “twindemic” and is ready to help our friends and families in the Torrington community get their flu shots, as well as help answer questions about what to expect with COVID-19 and the flu this season. We realize that this can be confusing.
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 Connecticut are offering the Quadrivalent flu shot. This year there are a few updates to the Flu vaccines for the 2021/2022 season.
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 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.
There are two new vaccines licensed for use during the 2021-2022 flu season. To better protect seniors there is now a quadrivalent high-dose vaccine that replaces the former trivalent dose. There’s also another quadrivalent adjuvanted vaccine for seniors(above the age of 65) that has an additional influenza B component.
Who should get a flu vaccinated 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! 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.
When should we get the flu shot?
The CDC recommends that everyone get their flu shot in September or October, before the start of the Flu season. CDC COVID-19 safety guidelines suggest that you come in as soon as you can to get your flu shot. School is in session and children are notorious for being germ spreaders. In addition to this, people are still traveling in and out of the country. The Delta variant is also in Connecticut and it’s highly contagious, making it a big reason to get vaccinated for the flu and COVID-19 if you have not done so already.
Why should I get the flu shot? I didn’t get the flu last year
Since COVID-19 is still present 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.
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 that protect against two different things. But, can you get both at the same time? 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, getting both vaccines will help you 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 difficult to diagnose and treat. Let’s not get to this point!You can always get tested for COVID-19 at AFC Urgent Care Torrington with no appointment needed. We can also evaluate you for the flu at the same time.
Avoid the Twindemic and get your Flu Shot today!
AFC Urgent Care Torrington cannot stress it enough: Get your flu shot between now and late October. If you miss this window of opportunity, get it anyways. We have plenty of influenza vaccines readily available for residents in the surrounding communities of Torrington, Connecticut.AFC in Torrington also offers COVID-19 testing 7 days a week with results on the same day.
