HealthyPlusno3Jan5 - Flipbook - Page 16
Be a flu fighter
How to protect yourself—
and others
A
nother winter and another flu season are
upon us. But, if medical experts are right,
this flu season could be a doozy.
Donna Barron, RN, and infection preventionist
at SVMC explains, “There are really two factors at
work here and both are tied to COVID-19.
“First, people are relaxing their use of masks. We
didn’t have a big outbreak of flu last year largely
because people wore masks. Without them, we’re
likely to see a lot more cases of the flu this season.
“The second thing is that people are so focused
on COVID-19 that they don’t even think about
getting a vaccine for the flu and other diseases.
This is, in part, why we’re seeing diseases like
measles popping up again.”
How can I protect myself form geing
the flu?
“The best way to prevent flu or serious
complications from the flu,” says Barron, “is the
flu vaccine.”
The CDC recommends everyone six months and
older, with a few exceptions (see box below), get
an annual flu vaccine. A single shot reduces the
risk of severe infection, hospitalization and, in
extreme cases, death.
Barron adds, “As tired as we all are of masks and
handwashing, these simple practices go a long way
in reducing your risk of catching and spreading the
flu.” She advises masks be worn in any crowded
setting indoors or out. “As annoying as mask
wearing may be, it’s far less of an inconvenience
than being laid up for seven to ten days.”
Can I get the flu vaccine at the same time
as my COVID-19 booster?
Yes, you can get both shots at the same time,
provided you’re eligible for the booster (i.e., you
received at least a primary series of the vaccine, do
not currently have COVID-19, and it has been two
months since your last COVID-19 shot).
“There are no additional side effects from
getting both shots at the same time,” says Barron,
noting the most common side effect is soreness at
the site of the injection.
People who SHOULD NOT get a flu shot include:
• Children younger than 6 months of age
• People with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in a flu vaccine (other
than egg proteins) should not get that vaccine. This might include gelatin, antibiotics, or
other ingredients. Those with egg alergies can receive an egg-free version.
• People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine should not get that flu
vaccine again and might not be able to receive other influenza vaccines. If you have had
a severe allergic reaction to an influenza vaccine in the past, talk with your healthcare
provider to determine whether vaccination is right for you.
14 | HEALTHY+ | WINTER –SPRING 2023