Medical experts have stated accurately for many years that one of the most important things we can all do when the leaves start to change color is to make sure to get a flu vaccination.
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. The flu causes mild to severe symptoms including, but not limited to: fever (or feeling feverish/chilled), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. It can cause mild to severe illness, and complications can lead to hospitalization or death.
In any given year, only around half of all Americans receive their flu shot, with many not knowing that the vaccination may reduce the severity of the infection, even when the vaccine doesn’t prevent the influenza virus itself.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to worsen in some parts of the country, public health leaders are urging as many people as possible to be vaccinated against the annual flu virus.
It’s anticipated that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter, and health care providers may be swamped in having to treat patients who contract either one of the two afflictions. This means getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 is more important than ever before.
While there is no evidence suggesting that flu shots will prevent you from contracting the coronavirus, flu vaccinations can prevent you from getting both viruses at the same time, or getting one after the other before the body has had time to recover.
Eskenazi Health is encouraging everyone to receive the flu vaccine this fall at all Eskenazi Health locations, and to support accessibility to the flu vaccine, a vaccination task force has been created. Eskenazi Health has worked hard to ensure all patients can receive the vaccine. The vaccine is now available throughout the Eskenazi Health system. Patients are encouraged to visit any Eskenazi Health pharmacy location to receive the vaccine. No appointment is needed. Patients must be 3 years or older to get a flu shot at a pharmacy location.
Patients with regularly scheduled appointments are encouraged to receive the vaccine at that time. Efforts have been made so that all areas of Eskenazi Health can provide flu vaccines regardless of the service the patient is receiving. In addition, Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center is partnering with our pharmacy to be able to provide flu vaccines during patient visits.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu vaccines prevent millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor’s visits each year. For example, during 2018-2019, flu vaccination prevented an estimated 4.4 million influenza illnesses, 2.3 million influenza-associated medical visits, 58,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations, and 3,500 influenza-associated deaths.
Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.
People who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their health care provider immediately. If you are ill with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, please call your health center or clinic before coming to your appointment. At Eskenazi Health, please call 317.880.7666 before coming to your appointment. Health care professionals are available 24/7 to answer questions on symptoms and direct you to the most appropriate care. It is important to first call before arriving at Eskenazi Health.
Diana Morales-Zelaya M.D.
Family Medicine Specialist
Eskenazi Health
