Do you remember when the COVID-19 Omicron variant plagued us last winter? We do, because It ruined a lot of the winter holidays for our friends and families in the Torrington community. In the past year, we’ve had to learn how to live with COVID-19 and its new mutations. Mask mandates have been lifted and flying in and around the U.S has become less restrictive, making COVID-19, flu and even monkeypox easier to transmit.

Now that masks are optional in most places…AFC Urgent Care Torrington is predicting an influx of people contracting COVID, flu, monkey pox and other winter illnesses this season. For this reason, AFC in Torrington is here to help vaccinate the Torrington community for Flu and provide COVID-19 testing to help keep your family safe this winter. Here’s what you should know:

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 2022/2023 season. 

• Both the influenza A(H3N2) and the influenza B(Victoria lineage) vaccine virus components were updated.
• 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.

For the 2022-2023 flu season, there are three flu vaccines that are preferentially recommended for people 65 years and older. These are Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine.

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. Lastly, the restrictions for travel, such as mask mandates, have been lifted in the recent months. Now is the time to get flu protected and to double down on getting your COVID booster shot, too!

Do I Have To Get Vaccinated For The Flu Or Will A COVID-19 Booster Shot Be Enough?

We’ve already established that symptoms for both viruses overlap. But, it’s important to know that these are two entirely different viruses caused by different strains. So, a booster shot for COVID-19 is not a substitute for a flu shot. You need both.

We also know that mask mandates have been lifted earlier this year, which increases the chance of transmission for COVID, Flu and now the most recent, Monkeypox virus, or MPV. As we approach the winter holidays, we suggest getting vaccinated for the flu as a way to help protect you from the flu, protect others from getting it and lastly, rule out the flu if you do end up getting sick.

Ideally, it would be best to get vaccinated for all of 3 viruses to avoid getting severely sick or spreading these viruses to loved ones who are immunocompromised. Last year, the CDC suggested that it’s okay to get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 at the same time. The same recommendation applies to this year including booster shots for COVID! 

Should I Also Worry About Monkeypox Virus This Winter?

In recent months, The CDC has reported an outbreak of Monkeypox in several states in the U.S. and in multiple countries throughout the world. Monkeypox is a disease caused by a virus in the orthopoxvirus group, which includes smallpox. It’s very common in places such as Africa, but because it has spread to the U.S. in recent months, it has raised an alarm for the health and safety of our friends and families in the Torrington community. 

Monkeypox is not a virus to ignore or to stereotype. It does not matter what your sexual orientation is or what country you are from; you can still contract Monkeypox in many ways with direct contact being the most common way of contracting it. Other ways include: respiratory droplets, sharing objects/clothing, hugging, kissing, and even through sex.

What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Monkeypox? 

Symptoms of Monkeypox are similar to flu symptoms, however, the most common symptoms of Monkeypox are:

• Rash or Lesions (usually appears 1-3 days after)
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Backaches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion

You can keep up with the numbers and information on Monkeypox here (The CDC dataset).

AFC Urgent Care Torrington Offers The Updated Flu Vaccine And COVID-19 Testing For The Winter 2022/2023 Season

For information on the latest COVID booster and the Monkey Pox vaccine locations, please visit your local pharmacy or check the CT state dph website for a link to available locations.

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 anyway. 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. 

Walk-in or make an appointment online, today!