Flu shots even more important this year

I got mine. Did you get yours? And, if the answer is no, when do you plan to get one? Because you know I’m going to tell you that everyone over the age of six months needs to get a flu shot this month.

I’m going to say it loud and clear. Everyone needs to be vaccinated against influenza, because if you don’t and you get sick, it puts you in a vulnerable position to have extraordinarily serious and potentially deadly symptoms if you also contract COVID-19.

And, you don’t even have to take my word for it. After reading his recent letter to the editor, I reached out to local family physician, Scott Dunn. He and I have talked in the past about the importance of vaccinations and I respect his opinions. And I prefer to get my information from a source who bases those opinions on fact not fiction nor politics.

“As I mentioned in my letter to the editor [Daily Bee, September 22] there is evidence that getting a flu shot can reduce the risk of serious complications and death by 17 percent from COVID,” Dr. Dunn said.

So, let’s think about that. If you’ve had a flu shot, although the vaccine doesn’t protect you from the coronavirus, you may still have protection that prevents you from getting severe symptoms if you do contract the disease. And, of course, it protects you from the flu.

“In an average year, the flu shot reduces the chance of severe symptoms and death by 40 to 60 percent,” Dr. Dunn said. The CDC estimates that 52 percent of the population got a flu shot last year which means that half of Americans didn’t, and I wonder why.

I’ve heard people say that wearing a mask, washing hands and staying socially distant will prevent them from getting any contagious disease.

“Wearing a mask, social distancing, and hand washing are critical measures to slow the spread of COVID and all respiratory viruses. But, face coverings primarily reduce the chance that you will spread infection to others, even before you know that you’re sick. Likewise, if others around you are wearing their masks, they are less likely to spread the virus to you. But, if others around you within six feet are not wearing face coverings, unfortunately, your mask does not necessarily protect you from getting infected,” Dr. Dunn said.

I’ve noticed people getting lackadaisical about following the recommended precautions particularly in the grocery stores. These people, who don’t disinfect the handles of their shopping carts, or wear their masks properly, are far more at risk for not only the coronavirus, but the flu and even a common cold.

So, you don’t get a flu shot, and you come down with symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. Should you get a COVID test right away?

“Yes,” Dr. Dunn said. “And, likely you should be tested for flu as well. Early in the process the symptoms for both are similar. The only way to know which virus you have is to get tested. Knowing if you have COVID will be important for all of your close contacts in order for them to get tested and isolated to reduce spread. Knowing if you have the flu will allow antiviral treatment if it is identified in the first two to three days.”

Dr. Dunn said that you should start by contacting your primary care provider who can determine if your symptoms are “related to viral infection or perhaps something else potentially more serious. Also, your doctor will need to send an order for testing at a local hospital in order for it to be done and covered by your insurance.”

He said that “this year, more than perhaps any year in our lifetimes, it will be critical to get the flu shot, even if you have never done so before. It isn't a perfect vaccine, but it is the best thing we have currently to reduce the risk of serious complications from influenza. And it might reduce risk from COVID as well according to preliminary evidence. There is no significant difference between the different types of vaccine. Just get one!” So, I did. How about you?

Kathy Hubbard is a member of Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Council. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.