BRADFORD, Pa. — Flu season is approaching, and medical consultants are strongly recommending the flu shot for everybody eligible to get it.
Don’t be lulled right into a false sense of safety by final yr’s delicate flu season.
“Final yr, with individuals following the masking, distancing and hand sanitizing way more religiously, we had fewer circumstances of flu, RSV and the opposite widespread respiratory viruses,” mentioned Dr. Jill Owens, interim chief medical officer of Higher Allegheny Well being System, which operates Olean Common Hospital and Bradford Regional Medical Heart.
This yr, that’s unlikely to be the case.
“We’re hopeful, as COVID circumstances are rising a lot earlier this yr, that individuals will once more buckle down and observe these measures,” Owens mentioned, “however it’s clear that it’ll unlikely be as strict as what was practiced in 2020. Because of this, we expect a major improve in flu in addition to the entire different respiratory viruses that hit us by the autumn and winter months.”
Individuals ought to do all they will to remain wholesome, like getting the COVID and influenza vaccines.
“This yr, the healthcare system within the area is already confused with a number of points together with rising COVID circumstances, staffing points and tertiary facilities delayed in accepting transfers,” Owens mentioned. “It’s crucial that we do every thing attainable to forestall including extra stress to the system so that individuals can get the care they want.”
In response to the CDC, the low stage of flu exercise for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic started may imply People have much less flu immunity, in the end resulting in an earlier and extra extreme flu season.
“Flu pictures will assist to decrease the circumstances domestically and likewise present the recipients some safety towards extra extreme illness from the flu,” Owens mentioned. “The identical is true for COVID vaccinations.”
Mitigation efforts — sporting a masks, working towards social distancing, working towards good hand hygiene — have confirmed efficient, however getting vaccinated is extra necessary than ever to assist stop well being care amenities from getting overwhelmed.
Owens mentioned, “We encourage everybody to get vaccinated for Flu and COVID and proceed to masks in crowded areas particularly indoors in addition to socially distancing and hand sanitizing.”
Sufferers can obtain the flu vaccine at their major care doctor’s workplace, or at taking part pharmacies.
There are a number of flu vaccine choices for the 2021-22 flu season. This season, injectable flu vaccines (flu pictures) and nasal spray are advisable.
Well being consultants say everybody 6 months of age and older ought to get a flu vaccine each season. This advice has been in place since Feb. 24, 2010, when CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for “common” flu vaccination in america.