You should worry about all of them as they pose a potential threat to not everyone's health, but their holiday season, too. Many of you skipped out on getting your flu shot and COVID-19 booster shot last year. The Omicron variant and the confusion between COVID and the flu caused us to cancel our favorite holidays in 2021. Let's not make the same mistake this year, especially since we now have monkeypox to worry about. A perfect trifecta of viruses!
AFC Urgent Care Vernon understands the concerns about all 3 viruses affecting our holidays. For this reason, we are now offering the quadrivalent flu shot and continuous COVID-19 testing to help you stay healthy this winter. We'll also continue to inform you about COVID-19, monkeypox, and the flu season so that you can avoid them altogether!
The flu vaccine has some new updates in 2022
Flu vaccines are made months in advance to combat against possible strains we commonly see in the fall and winter. In response to COVID-19 still being around, The CDC and scientists have made sure to reinforce the strength of the vaccines so that people that are high risk or immunocompromised will have full flu protection.
AFC urgent care Vernon offers the quadrivalent flu vaccine to cover 4 strains of the flu virus. In addition, there are two new flu vaccines that are now available for adults over the age of 65. This is important because the eldery are considered high risk individuals and protecting them from at least the flu is better than no protection.
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.
I Got Infected With The Omicron Variant Last Year. Why Do I Need A COVID Booster Shot?
COVID-19 is still circulating around the world and there is evidence that shows that you can still contract another respiratory illness while having COVID-19 at the same time. You don’t want to contract both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time because it can be hard to diagnose and treat. This is why we highly suggest getting the flu shot as soon as you can so you can avoid this. This way, if you do get COVID-19 we can rule out the flu and you will know for sure that it’s COVID-19.
Another reason why it’s important to get vaccinated is because we want to protect high risk individuals like the elderly and the immunocompromised. Flu shots for younger age groups count more than you think. We don;’t want to potentially put an elderly person at risk from contracting both the flu and COVID-19. Now is not the time to be irresponsible and carefree.
Is Monkeypox A Threat In Vernon, CT?
In recent months, a Monkeypox outbreak has been reported by the CDC in the U.S. and around the world. It has been reported in several states recently. Although Monkeypox (MPV) is commonly found in countries across Africa, there has been recent concern for the well-being of our friends and families in New Britain and the surrounding Connecticut area. Due to the recent spike in infections, Monkeypox has been raising concerns for the well-being of our friends and families in Vernon and the surrounding Connecticut area.
To avoid stereotyping or ignoring this condition, it is critical to understand that it has the potential to cause severe illness---regardless of someones sexual orientation or nationality. Direct contact with a person who has Monkeypox is the most risky way of contracting it. But, it can also spread through: respiratory droplets, sharing objects/clothing, hugging, kissing, and even sex.
The most common symptoms of Monkeypox are:
- Rash or Lesions (the most obvious symptom)
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backaches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
It’s best to follow up with The CDC guidelines on Monkeypox and how it’s spreading to avoid it this winter.
Begin The Flu Season With A Flu Shot!
The best safeguard to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot. You can rule out the flu by getting a flu vaccine at AFC urgent Care Vernon. We have plenty of flu vaccines available and if you need COVID-19 testing done, we can do that too!
At AFC Urgent Care Vernon you can come to our center any day of the week with no appointment needed. We also offer appointments to fit your schedule. AFC Urgent Care Vernon is open 7 days a week Monday-Friday 8am-8pm and Saturday-Sunday 8am-5pm. We accept most insurances and are offering both the quadrivalent flu vaccine and COVID-19 testing 7 days a week.
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.
