It’s time for flu shots
As COVID-19 case numbers again show improvement after a summer spike, Lee Health officials have issued a companion health alert for residents: “Avoid a ‘twindemic’: Get your flu vaccination.”
Citing the Florida Department of Health in its healthy news blog posted at leehealth.org, Lee Health acknowledges last year’s “slow” flu season but says that should not lull residents into complacency.
“According to the Florida Department of Health, flu cases in Florida dropped to a record low last year thanks to COVID-19 preventive practices such as wearing masks, social distancing, and sanitizing our hands,” Lee Health states on its website, citing infectious disease expert Dr. Stephanie Stovall, chief of Quality and Patient Safety. “Like COVID-19, the flu spreads mainly through respiratory droplets transmitted by coughing, sneezing, and talking. People with the flu can spread the virus up to six feet away.
“However, experts this fall fear a spike in flu infections because pandemic protocols have relaxed, and we’ve returned to workplaces and schools. The possibility of a ‘twindemic’ — a severe flu season combined with the ongoing pandemic — underscores the need for everyone six months and older to get this year’s flu vaccine, according to Dr. Stovall. She adds that vaccination is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza.”
Annual vaccination is necessary for two reasons, according to Dr. Stovall — flu strains vary from year to year and immunity from vaccinations received decline over time.
Health experts, from the CDC down, say that “your flu shot is the first and most important step to fight the flu.”
About 40 percent of Floridians get a flu shot annually.
Like COVID-19, the flu is a viral illness that, for many, is relatively mild.
But for those at risk, each can be deadly, and yes, the flu can kill.
The CDC estimates that influenza has resulted in “between 9 million – 45 million illnesses, between 140,000 – 810,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 – 61,000 deaths annually since 2010.”
Those at high risk are many of the same individuals at high risk of serious complications from COVID-19 — those 65 and older and those with existing medical conditions.
Also at high risk of serious complications from the flu are children 2 and younger, pregnant women and those who have recently given birth.
The Department of Health in Lee County now has seasonal flu vaccine available for all ages by appointment at 239-461-6100.
The flu vaccine for children through the age of 18 is free, according to the FDOH website, lee.floridahealth.gov.
Flu vaccine for adults age 19 years and older is $16.39, and the High-Dose flu vaccine for adults age 65 years and older is $46.41. Prices are subject to change and do not include the administration fee. If Medicare Part B is your primary provider, you are asked to bring your Medicare card and Medicare will be billed.
Meanwhile, the pneumonia vaccine also is available for a fee for adults, and the FDOH offers it year-round.
And if you’re looking for a COVID vaccine or a booster? The Department of Health also is offering it by appointment at 239-461-6100. Select option 4.
Flu shots, the COVID vaccine and the booster shot for those eligible are, of course, also available at a number of private providers, from your doctor’s office to local pharmacies.
We add our voices to those within the health care community urging flu shots this year for, well, everyone.
COVID-19 still is enough to worry about.
The last thing anyone needs to add to the viral mix is a potentially serious bout of the flu, especially when a vaccine is readily available.
-Eagle editorial