This year it is more important than ever to make sure that you get Flu Shots to make sure you are properly vaccinated. Part of the concern is that we do not know how severe of a reaction a person will have to an infection of COVID-19 and the influenza vaccine simultaneously. Luckily the same social distancing rules that we have been following should make it easier in regards to ensure that we are less likely to contract influenza.
When Should I get the Flu Shot?
It takes about 2 weeks for the Flu Shot to help stimulate the antibodies needed to protect you against the Flu. The earlier you can get the Flu Shot this season the better.
Similarity between COVID-19 and Influenza Symptoms
There is some overlap between the symptoms of COVID-19 and Influenza and as a result someone with symptoms such as a cough or runny nose may have the Flu but will be required to self-isolate due to the overlap of symptoms with COVID-19. This is more reason to ensure that you do get vaccinated this season to ensure that you do not develop any symptoms of the Flu that could be confused with COVID-19 causing isolation.
There are a lot of similarities between the Flu and COVID-19 as illustrated below:
As you can see in the graphic above due to the overlap of symptoms between COVID-19 and the Flu it is best to get vaccinated against the Flu due to the potential confusion that can occur with determining whether you have the Flu or COVID-19. This can potentially lead to an increase in Stress on our health care system as more resources are going to be needed to help differentiate whether a person has a Flu infection or a COVID-19 infection.
The importance of developing Herd Immunity
Herd Immunity occurs when a large enough percentage of the community has immunity against a potential infection making it unlikely to have person to person transmission.
Traditionally it has been thought that we would need about a 60% participation rate to achieve herd immunity but recent studies have found in our current environment we may be able to reach herd immunity in some cases as low as 43% instead. An increase of 15% is not that unreasonable and it is a good strategy to help contain prevention of spread of the flu.
Plan you trip to the pharmacy
Our Pharmacy will still take walk-ins but we will give priority to patients who do make appointments. Our priority is everyone’s safety. By allowing for appointments it will make a more efficient system where patients have minimal contact with others reducing the risk of exposure of COVID-19. Once we have the official date of when the vaccinations will start I will begin the process of accepting appointments. If you would like to be notified of when the vaccine does become available please enter your email below and I will be sure to add you to my notification list.
