The Importance of Flu Shots During a Pandemic

There is a lot of anecdotal information around about the flu shot. While we don’t want to minimize personal experiences of the flu shot causing illness, we do want to highlight the science behind the flu shot and the importance of getting one, especially this year as we also struggle with COVID-19.  

 

While the shot that protects you from seasonal flu will NOT protect you from COVID-19, it’s still to your benefit to get a flu shot. Doing so reduces the chances of getting seasonal flu or reduces the symptoms if you do contract seasonal flu. Particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more important to be vaccinated against the flu to help prevent influenza, avoid a mistaken diagnosis of COVID-19 as the symptoms are similar, and preserve healthcare resources. Additionally it is possible to test positive for the flu (as well as other respiratory pathogens) and the virus that causes COVID-19 at the same time. As there is currently no vaccine for COVID-19, receiving a flu vaccine will minimize or eliminate the risk of contracting both illnesses at once.

 

According to the CDC website the 2020-2021 flu vaccine will protect against the three or four viruses (depending on the vaccine) that research suggests will be most common. If you’re curious as to the specific viruses you can view them via the link below.

 

 

Further, the CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine as early in the fall season as September or October. As long as the flu viruses are circulating vaccination should continue, even into January or later. 

 

Quince Orchard Medical Center is happy to refer our community to several sites around the Rockville area who are providing the flu vaccine at minimal cost. These sites include:

 

CVS Minute Clinic

Walgreens Pharmacy

Local Supermarket Pharmacies

Physicians Now Urgent Care

Adventist HealthCare Urgent Care

Patient First - Rockville

 

As always please contact us if you have any questions or need help locating an affordable flu shot option. We’re happy to help.