COVID and the flu? What you need to know about vaccines and surging COVID cases

As the new semester begins, more people come to campus and we enter the highest month for respiratory illness prevalence, Working@Duke spoke with Epling about vaccinations, safety precautions and how to protect yourself and those around you.

Why are COVID cases increasing? Will it ever go away?

COVID-19 cases have risen every summer since 2020 Due to factors such as The spread of new variants, increased travel, and more time spent indoors in air-conditioned rooms.

Epling said this year's surge in cases is no different, although the COVID variants circulating now are particularly contagious. He said as the virus evolves, we'll likely see more strains that are more infectious and spread easily, meaning COVID won't be something that goes away anytime soon.

“COVID continues to change its genetic structure, and these changes are making it more and more infectious,” Epling said. “So COVID will likely continue to be present in the environment for some time to come. In the long term, we expect COVID to become one of the respiratory viruses circulating in our communities, like influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.”

What do I need to know about the updated COVID vaccine for 2024-25?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved COVID-19 vaccines on Aug. 22, 2024. Moderna Inc. and Pfizer Inc.'s mRNA vaccines protect against the KP.2 strain that has been circulating recently. Epling said it could be several weeks before the new vaccines are widely available to the general public, possibly until mid-September.

Epling said it would be wise for all children 6 months and older to get vaccinated once the vaccine is available.

“The new vaccines are your best defense to reducing your risk of hospitalization and death from severe COVID-19,” Epling said, “They can reduce your risk of getting sick if you do get infected. The new vaccines are designed to be much closer to the strains currently circulating, so your immune system can respond better.”

The updated COVID vaccine will not be available at Duke EOHW. Instead, the vaccine, which will be covered in full by Duke employee health insurance plans, will be available at area pharmacies and health care providers, including Duke Primary Care and specialty clinics.

Although not required, Duke University staff and faculty are encouraged to provide proof of vaccination when receiving the COVID vaccine by: Duke University's external vaccination reporting tool helps institutions prepare.

Can I get the COVID vaccine and the flu vaccine at the same time?

Epling received the new COVID vaccine. Seasonal influenza vaccine At the same time it is safe and will not cause any problems.

“You can take them at the same time or at different times, it doesn't matter,” Epling said. “The important thing is to take both.”

Epling said it can take up to two weeks for the vaccine to start protecting against the virus, so getting vaccinated as soon as possible is a way to prepare for the respiratory virus season, which usually starts in October and peaks between December and February.

What should I do if I have symptoms of flu, RSV or COVID but my test result is negative?

If you have symptoms Influenza, RSV, COVID Symptoms may include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, fatigue and fever. Epling recommends wearing a mask, isolating and getting a COVID test. At-home COVID tests can be purchased at most pharmacies, and Duke employees can schedule a PCR test through Duke University. My COVID LinkTests for influenza, RSV, and other respiratory viruses become widely available in the fall or winter when the respiratory virus season begins.

If you test positive for COVID, Epling recommends the following: Isolation guidance based on occupationInfected individuals must wear a mask in the presence of others for 10 days, starting the day after symptoms first appear. Employees who test positive at home should: My COVID Link.

Epling said he has seen cases where people with COVID-19 symptoms tested negative on at-home tests but later tested positive on the more sensitive PCR test provided by the Duke University lab.

“You should still wear a mask while you're sick, even if you have a negative COVID test result,” Epling says. “Because COVID test results can be false negatives, wearing a mask around other people is the best way to lower everyone's risk.”

How do I get a flu vaccination?

Epling said EOHW is working to make it easier for employees to receive the flu vaccination at no cost by offering walk-in vaccinations without an appointment at all three EOHW clinics and setting up pop-up vaccination clinics in high traffic locations throughout the university and health system. Click here for locations and pop-up clinic dates.

“We have been working to set up pop-up clinics in locations where it is convenient for employees to get vaccinated,” Epling said.

During the 2023-2024 flu season, an estimated 44,900 Americans will die from flu complications.

Influenza vaccination is a condition of employment for Duke University Health System, School of Medicine, and School of Nursing employees. Faculty and staff may either get vaccinated or Approved exemptions in front Tuesday, October 29th, 10amTo meet this requirement, employees who receive influenza vaccines from a source other than an EOHW or coworker vaccinator: Provide documentation.

“If you get your vaccination at a pharmacy or health care provider, even if it's a Duke Health Clinic, you're required to provide documentation to show you're in compliance with the policy,” Epling said. “It can be confusing, but if an employee comes in as a flu vaccine patient, Employee Health Administration does not receive documentation for a flu vaccine administered at a Duke Health Clinic.”

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