Hell yes, it’s time to get your flu shot


A bottle of influenza virus vaccine was found on December 4, 2012 at the Minuteclinic of CVS Pharmacy in Miami, Florida.

A bottle of influenza virus vaccine was found on December 4, 2012 at the Minuteclinic of CVS Pharmacy in Miami, Florida.
Photo: J Ra Radel (Getty Images)

Friends: The time has come. It is the first day of harvestL, and yOr partially Fill the coronavirusA vaccine-shaped hole in your heart by getting a flu shot.

I got my flu on Monday. My hand still kind of hurts, but that’s okay, because now I’m less likely to spread a very suspicious disease. Isn’t that surprising? A cheap and Widely available A shot that protects your body from being attacked by a virus?

Inside Typical year, Seasonal flu makes millions of Americans sick, hospitalizes hundreds of thousands and kills anywhere from 20,000 to 60,000. But 2020 is no longer a normal year with the Kovid-19 epidemic Officially Having At least 200,000 Americans were killed – which is still ongoing. New cases attributed to Covid-19, hospitalizations and deaths in recent weeks. But experts Anxiety That cold fall and winter weather and still-The public health response by the federal government will soon lead to a resurgence of the viral epidemic. Given that the U.S. The normal flu season in October lasts from October to March, which stabilizes the potential Double shaking Influenza and a resurgence of Covid-19 hitting us at the same time.

We don’t have much Evidence currently How someone can be infected with both viruses at the same time; That is It is possible that Can make a person sicker than just having an illness. But putting it aside, the two diseases are divided Many features, Fever, sneezing, And fatigue, Which can either complicate efforts to identify the case or treat it. Someone who mistakenly believes they have a mild flu, for example, may not be tested for Covid-19 or will delay medical help until it is too late for a flu case that requires rest at home but for Covid-19. Is by mistake. To be able to Can build resources Have been spent elsewhere. The flu still leads millions of people to the need for hospitalization, so it can also lead to stress in hospitals that deal with simultaneous Covid-19 outbreaks.

The flu vaccine is partially effective in preventing the flu.Its effectiveness varies Year to year –But it still Prevents Millions of flu cases, thousands of hospital admissions and thousands of deaths each year. And any less Flu cases are low in 2020 Dealing with hospitals, doctors and just the average person. Elsewhere in the world, we have already seen the benefits of taking the flu more seriously this year.

In April Australia, which experiences the flu season from April to October, has seen a mild flu outbreak in 2020. Because of most of them Social distance restrictions in the country that have limited the spread of Kovid-19. But there are also local health officials Deposit Record increase in flu vaccinations by Australians. South American countries have had a similar experience Low rates of flu This year.

Right now, the U.S. Doesn’t seem to have Started Increased social distance, masking and. The first wave of epidemics by the balance of no contained the summer peak Probably some population immunity. Hopefully, the country could be in a position to move the epidemic forward without any bigger waves Through these same measures, which as a bonus will weaken the annual grip of the flu on us. But it won’t take long for the U.S. to return to dangerous territory. If This Epidemic history If there has been any judge in the last 100 years, then another wave of Covid-19 is likely. In that case, it is more helpful to be protected against the flu, especially to protect Sensitive members of the community.

There is no clear agreement on when you should take a flu shot (or nasal spray version)) This year, however, is eligible for every vaccine over 6 months of age, Except Rare exceptions Like an allergy to its ingredients. If taken in the early fall of winter, the vaccine weakens in effectiveness, But decided to think It puts you at risk of catching the flu in the meantime (That said, being late in the winter can also be helpful, so it doesn’t feel like it’s too late). The most important thing is that you get the vaccine at some point, Especially if you’re in it Or is Contact the elderly or someone in a high-risk group with chronic health conditions such as asthma and diabetes. In my case, I got a free flu shot during a weekly trip to the supermarket.

If you’ve ever had the flu, you know how much it sucks. It’s worse than a cold. It kills thousands of people. You don’t want to get the flu this year, so go for those shots.

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