United States: It’s not actually too late to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines! Health experts say it’s important to get properly vaccinated before the holidays, when more people travel and celebrate indoors.
Even though these viruses haven’t caused many problems yet this fall, COVID-19 usually spreads more in winter, starting around Thanksgiving and peaking in January. So, make sure to get your shot to stay safe and healthy!
And that correlates with flu season, which normally occurs from November or December to January or February.
It takes about two weeks for the body’s immune system to be ready to fend of diseases, so vaccination is required before such diseases begin circulating. Many elderly people require protection from another dangerous winter virus – RSV.
Yes, it is safe to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. Let’s stop using the term ‘booster’ because it isn’t just an extra dose of protection from last year. The coronavirus and influenza are both escape artists that reproduce by mutating to avoid your body’s defenses thus both vaccines are updated annually.
As imperfect as these vaccines are, they grant a good enough shield from a terrible flu season or COVID-19 — or death due to it.
As reported by pbs.org, “It may not stop every episode, but those infection episodes are going to be less severe,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “I’d rather have my grandmother, or my great-grandmother have a sniffle than have to run out to the emergency room on Thanksgiving.”
45% of adults received a flu vaccine in the last year and a meagre 23% got a Covid-19 vaccine.
AMA president Dr. Bruce A. Scott said this past week, ‘Our best defense to protect ourselves, our loved ones and all those around us is a simple shot.’
Though people no longer read or hear much about it, the coronavirus actually claimed more lives in America than flu in the last year.
“Maybe we believe that it’s not going to be me but let’s not take a chance,” said Dr. Michael Knight of George Washington University. “Why not have a vaccine which means you’re decreasing that risk?”
