Flu shots urged to avoid ‘twindemic’ during COVID-19 | Local News
The annual flu shot is typically 20% to 60% effective in preventing flu outright, but even when it’s not a perfect match it can reduce the severity of the disease, health officials say.
“It will also mitigate some of the symptoms anyway, so you’ll have a milder case of the flu,” said Dr. David Ottenbaker, regional vice president for primary care services at SSM Health.
Sarah Hughes, immunization coordinator for Public Health Madison and Dane County, said drive-thru flu shots will be available for people on BadgerCare and without health insurance in early October at the Alliant Energy Centers. Those with insurance can get shots at their medical clinics or pharmacies.
Influenza typically picks up in November or December and peaks in January or February, while continuing to circulate until spring. Flu activity has been relatively mild this summer in the southern hemisphere, which could mean a mild season this winter in the U.S. But the last two flu seasons in the U.S. were heavier than normal — until shutdowns in March spurred by COVID-19 also dampened last season’s flu activity.
The CDC says everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot or the nasal spray vaccine.
Flu vaccine is expected to be plentiful this year, with manufacturers providing close to 200 million doses, up from a record 175 million last year.
Workplaces may not offer flu shots as much as normal this year, or employees working from home may not seek them that way. Pharmacies and doctor offices are expected to vaccinate a greater share of people, with Madison-area clinics asking patients to schedule appointments in advance for shots starting early next month.
