Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever to help protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community from the effects of the flu.

Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever to help protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community from the effects of the flu.

Just like wearing a mask, getting a flu vaccine is an easy and safe action we can take to keep ourselves and others healthy during the pandemic.

• We may not have a vaccine for COVID-19 yet, but we do have one for flu that is effective and safe.
• It is likely that both COVID-19 and flu will be circulating this fall and winter. Getting vaccinated against flu means there is one less disease you and your doctor have to worry about this season.
• This season, getting a flu vaccine is especially important because it will protect against flu and help prevent individuals from visiting the hospital, risking exposure to COVID-19.
• Influenza and COVID-19 share many symptoms. Reducing the spread of the flu means fewer people will need to seek medical care and testing for possible COVID-19 or influenza.
• CDC estimates that flu causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and up to 61,000 deaths each season. While it’s always important to minimize this toll, it’s especially important this season. A bad flu season can put our family and loved ones at risk while dealing with the impact of COVID-19.
• Flu vaccination lowers the chances that children and adults will end up in the hospital when they catch the flu.
• Essential workers are doing their part to keep us healthy. Now it’s time for us to do our part by rolling up our sleeves and getting vaccinated.

 

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot, especially our most vulnerable community members.

 

• Healthy adults can get very sick from flu, just like from COVID-19. Both are most dangerous for older adults, smokers, or anyone with a chronic condition like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. Get a flu shot now – we are stronger together when we are all protected against flu.
• Flu can lower your body’s defenses to other infections, including COVID-19. Older adults, smokers, or anyone with a chronic condition like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease are especially at risk. Don’t take chances with flu – get your flu shot now.
• A flu vaccine helps protect the frontline health care workers who will be caring for a lot of people sick with respiratory illnesses this fall and winter. Now it’s time for us to do our part and get vaccinated against the flu.

 

While flu vaccination is always important, this season getting vaccinated is even more important for certain people who are at higher risk of being exposed to flu and COVID-19 or developing serious complications from flu and COVID-19.

 

This includes:

• People 65 years and older, who account for the majority of hospitalizations and deaths from flu and COVID-19.
• People with underlying medical conditions like lung disease, heart disease, neurologic disorders, weakened immune systems, and diabetes.
• African Americans, Latinx, and Native populations, who are disproportionately affected by chronic medical conditions that can increase the risk for serious flu and COVID-19.
• Caregivers in long-term care facilities—in addition to residents—who are in daily close contact with people who are most vulnerable to serious flu and COVID-19 illness and death.
• Essential workers who have frequent interactions with each other and/or the public and are therefore more likely to be exposed to flu and COVID-19.

 

• Getting vaccinated yourself will also protect your loved ones, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with chronic health conditions.

 

Don’t Wait—Vaccinate!

• We are stronger as a community when we are all protected. Call your doctor to get your flu shot today.
• The majority of people who get the flu may feel really sick for a time and then recover. But even those people are losing time at work and risk spreading the disease to family members and others.
• Make a flu shot appointment now to keep you and your family protected during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
• For those who are out of work or without health insurance, you can still get your child vaccinated. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program offers free vaccines to families who cannot afford to pay for their children’s vaccines (through 19 years of age). Similarly, the Vaccines for Adults (VFA) program offers free vaccines for eligible adults. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if they are a VFC or VFA provider.
• Here is a handout with locations of where you can get your flu vaccine in New Haven! You can also find this list on our website: www.FightTheFluNewHaven.com 
• Our mobile community health van is coming to these places…..
• Visit vaccinefinder.org to find a place nearby to get your flu vaccine.