Health professionals want you to get a flu shot right now-that’s why

Seminole County, Florida – Health professionals across the country urge Americans to be vaccinated against the flu each year, but there is one reason, especially this year, that people are being vaccinated early. Coronavirus pandemic..

The world is already fighting one respiratory virus. The last thing we need to see is that the two are spreading throughout the community at the same time. Health officials emphasized at a press conference in Seminole County on Friday.

“If you have a season when you need to be vaccinated against the flu, this is the season,” said Dr. Tim Hendrix of Advent Health Centra Care. “I don’t want influenza and COVID to occur at the same time.”

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Donna Walsh of the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County said both illnesses could cause more serious complications.

“Whenever you are infected with multiple specific viruses or bacteria that affect your respiratory system, you can develop more serious complications where early flu vaccination is very important.” Walsh said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting a flu shot by the end of October, Walsh, the sooner you get the flu shot, the better. This is especially true for those who plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.

Walsh On Friday, they said they encourage early flu shots because it takes weeks for the body to react to it. She also said that once the coronavirus vaccine is released to the public, people are unlikely to have the COVID-19 and flu vaccines available at the same time.

“But, again, it takes at least a few weeks after vaccination to protect the body, so I’d like to get it right away. Also, I’m currently hearing about the COVID-19 vaccine in advance. What I’m doing is that when the vaccine arrives, I can’t get the flu vaccine with it. It should be at least a couple of weeks apart, “she said.

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How fast COVID-19 vaccine It will be available, but President Trump says at least one will be available by the end of the year. According to Walsh, the flu season usually peaks in Florida from January to February.

Dr. Todd Hasty, Medical Director of Seminole County, said the flu needs to be treated in the same way as the coronavirus by taking all possible precautions to prevent the spread of the flu.

“COVID is a respiratory virus. We are taking precautions against the spread of COVID and respiratory viruses-(precautionary) effective: masks, social distances, they work, they work It works really well. But I also noticed that COVID is infiltrating. Despite the protection we are doing, COVID infiltrates the community and still spreads. “We have to see the virus in the wind,” he said. “We need to take all possible precautions to control the spread of the virus. We have better options. To reduce the chance of getting the virus.” Another option to help, another add-on. It just gets vaccinated against the virus. “

Hasty sought to dispel a common misconception about flu shots at a press conference on Friday.

He said the shot wasn’t so badly hurt and, contrary to common belief, flu shots couldn’t prevent the flu.

“They don’t hurt so much. They don’t hurt. They can hurt your arms and have side effects,” he said. “You won’t get the flu from a flu shot. That is, people know what you think you can, but you can’t prevent a flu from a flu shot.”

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According to Walsh, children and babies, pregnant women, and people over the age of 65, especially those with underlying health conditions, are considered to be at greatest risk of influenza.

On October 24, the Ministry of Health will provide children and adults with free influenza vaccinations. Learn more about how to register to get a free vaccine. here Or call 407-665-3700. Residents can also get the flu vaccine at a local pharmacy.

True healthPrivate, non-profit healthcare organizations in central Florida are located in seven locations in Orange County and Seminole County and can be tested for both COVID-19 and influenza. Vaccines are also available there.

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