Everyone over 6 months should get flu vaccination this year, Yale expert tells Branford forum
BRANFORD — Getting a flu vaccination will be more important than ever this year with COVID-19 lurking around the corner, a Yale expert and other community officials said Thursday in an online forum organized by local community organizations and two Branford churches.
“We just don’t have the luxury this year of dealing with the effects of both COVID and influenza on our society,” said Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, associate professor of internal medicine, public health and management at Yale.
Nunez-Smith also is founding director of the Equity Research and Innovation Center; director of the Center for Research Engagement; deputy director of the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation; and a member of the core faculty in the National Clinician Scholars Program, among other roles.
She is the newly-appointed director of the Center for Community Engagement and Health Equity for Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital.
The flu vaccine, despite what you might have heard in the past, “really is for everybody,” Nunez-Smith said at the Zoom forum organized by St. Stephen AME Zion Church, First Congregational Church of Branford, Branford Counseling & Community Services, Branford Community Foundation and the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation.
“There are few exceptions,” Nunez-Smith said. “Everybody 6 months and over should be vaccinated.”
While there has been some concern about potential shortage of the flu vaccine this year, “I’m actually quite optimistic that we will have sufficient dosing,” she said. “... At the moment, the supply chain for the ... vaccine is strong.
“What you can do for your own health” as you continue to keep safe from COVID-19 “is get the influenza vaccine,” as well as the pneumonia vaccine, Nunez-Smith said. This is particularly true of people with preexisting conditions, such as heart or respiratory problems, she said.
“Take care of yourself by having the vaccinations this year,” Nunez-Smith said.
“The reason we pulled together this group ... was to begin to get the word out about the flu vaccine,” said Liza Petra, executive director of the Branford Community Foundation. “... One thing we talked about was bringing the flu vaccine to people where they are.”
The Rev. Dr. Leroy O. Perry of AME Zion Church in Branford said one part of the plan is to create a mobile vaccination van.
“I would like to simply say thank you to everyone on the call — and this was not meant simply to be a one-call meeting,” Perry said after Nunez-Smith’s talk. He said it was just the beginning. “I think together we are stronger and together we have a greater chance of achieving better outcomes.” .
Nunez-Smith also talked about how COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting people of color, who she said “are dying more often” and “dying younger.”
“This is not an issue of biology ... but one of social context,” she said.
Among other issues, for many people of color, because of the jobs they hold, “It is not possible to work from home. They are unable to social distance from home.”
In addition, a higher percentage of people of color also are uninsured or under-insured, Nunez-Smith said.
The best way for them to protect themselves — as with everyone — is that “it’s really important to wear a mask and maintain social distancing,” Nunez-Smith said.
That includes wearing masks or other face coverings properly so it covers the nose and mouth, she said.
“What’s the best kind of face covering?” she said in response to a question. “The one that’s worn correctly is the best kind of face covering.”
mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
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