The CDC recommends that all adults and children over the age of 6 months get a flu shot every year. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, getting a flu shot is more important now than ever. Here’s why:
The CDC offers Vaccination Guidance During a Pandemic
- Routine vaccination prevents illnesses that lead to unnecessary medical visits, hospitalizations, and further strain on the healthcare system.
- Flu shots will be paramount to reduce the impact of respiratory illnesses in the population during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The difference between the flu and COVID-19
- The flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses.
- COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 and the flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses.
- Flu viruses can cause mild to severe illness.
- COVID-19 seems to cause more serious illnesses in some people.
- Other signs and symptoms of COVID-19, different from flu, may include change in or loss of taste or smell.
- Similar symptoms
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle pain or body aches
- Headache
- Vomiting or diarrhea
What does the flu shot do?
- Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination.
- The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season.
- Most flu vaccines protect against four different types of flu viruses:
- A (H1N1)
- A (H3N2)
- And 2 influenza B viruses
Most importantly, the CDC says there is no evidence that getting a flu vaccination increases your risk of getting sick from a coronavirus, like the one that causes COVID-19.
Flu shots are now available at both DoctorsCare locations with no appointments necessary.
DoctorsCare has been serving Clarksville, TN since opening in 2002.