Fight The Flu
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Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in the US are hospitalized from flu-related illnesses. There are ways to protect yourself and your family from getting the flu. Make sure you wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, cover your sneezes and coughs, and get a flu shot.
Flu Symptoms:
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For Adults
Many individuals with the flu will have mild symptoms and will recover within two weeks. However, individuals over the age of 65, pregnant women, and individuals with certain health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, have a higher risk of developing complications from the flu. A flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting the flu. Visit the F.A.Q. section below to learn where you can get a flu shot today.
For Children
Per Connecticut law, children who attend a daycare or a Pre-k program, who do not have a flu shot by December 31st, will be excluded from school beginning January 1st of the school year. This season, any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine is recommended. Ask your health care professional what vaccine is right for your child this year. Learn more about the different types of flu vaccines available for children.
Each year, millions of children get sick, thousands are hospitalized, and some die from flu. Last flu season a record high number of seasonal flu-related deaths in children were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About 80% of flu-associated deaths in children occur in kids who have not been fully vaccinated against flu.
Flu vaccination has been shown to significantly reduce a child’s risk of dying from flu. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine.
Flu and COVID-19
What is the difference between Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19?
Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis. Flu and COVID-19 share many characteristics, but there are some key differences between the two.
While more is learned every day, there is still a lot that is unknown about COVID-19 and the virus that causes it. This table compares COVID-19 and flu, given the best available information to date.
To learn more about COVID-19, visit Coronavirus (COVID-19)
To learn more about the flu, visit Influenza (Flu)
Why is it important for influenza (flu) vaccines to be given during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, such as stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders, have led to decreased use of routine preventive medical services, including immunization services. It is important that people continue or start getting routine vaccinations during the COVID-19. This can help communities stay safe from vaccine-preventable diseases and outreach, like the flu.
This flu season, it is important to get the flu vaccine to help lower your risk of getting the flu. It also helps lower the number of people who have a respiratory illness. The fewer people get the flu or respiratory illness, the more time, and staff the healthcare system will have to treat people COVID-19.
A flu vaccine may also provide several individual health benefits, including keeping you from getting sick with flu, reducing the severity of your illness if you do get flu, and reducing your risk of a flu-associated hospitalization.
Who should get their flu vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older, with rare exceptions, because it is an effective way to decrease flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the overall burden of respiratory illnesses is important to protect those who are at risk for severe illness, the healthcare system, and other critical infrastructure.
Will there be flu along with COVID-19 in the fall and winter?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) think it is likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread during the fall and winter. This means it is more important than ever to get a flu vaccine. CDC recommends that all people 6 months and older get a yearly flu vaccine.
F.A.Q.
Who needs to get a seasonal flu shot?
All individuals six months of age and older should get a flu shot every year (CDC, 2020).
In Connecticut, all children who are in daycare or preschool programs are required by state law to have an annual flu shot by December 31, 2020. Any child who does not provide proof of a flu shot may not be allowed to go daycare or pre-school.
You have the power to protect your family against the flu this season. Get yourself and your family a flu vaccine – fight flu!
Each year, millions of children get sick, thousands are hospitalized, and some die from flu. Last flu season a record high number of seasonal flu-related deaths in children were reported to CDC. About 80% of flu-associated deaths in children occur in kids who have not been fully vaccinated against the flu.
Can I get the flu from the flu shot?
No. You cannot get the flu from a flu shot.
Will my insurance pay for a flu shot?
Most insurance companies cover the flu cost of the flu shot. If you do not have medical insurance, you may be able to get the flu shot for free from the New Haven Health Department.
When should get a flu shot?
It is best to get a flu shot before the end of October. However, you can get the flu shot throughout the late full and winter months.
Where can I get a flu shot?
You can get a flu shot from your health care provider, a local pharamacy, or the New Haven Health Department. Click here to find a community flu clinic near you. Remember to wear a mask when you visit your health care provider, pharamacy, or community flu clinic. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should not get a flu shot. You should wait until your COVID-19 symptoms are gone to get a flu shot.
My organization would like to host a flu vaccine clinic at an event, how can we set that up?
If your group would like to set up a flu vaccine clinic at your church, school, social group, etc., please complete the information request form: Flu Request Form
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