Peak flu season generally falls between December and February; however, every flu season is different and high numbers of cases can continue to occur through May.  No matter when the flu vaccine is administered, the protection it offers from the illness is vital to assist in stopping the spread of the virus, especially in light of the ongoing cases of COVID-19.  There continues to be concern for a potential “twindemic” – a severe flu season occurring alongside an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Influenza (flu) is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization, and in severe cases, death.  Millions of people get the flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year.  While many experience mild symptoms, complications of the flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.

The 2020-2021 flu season in the United States was mild, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  However, due to so few infections, health experts believe Americans may have built up less natural immunity against influenza.  Also, preventive measures, including wearing masks and staying home, are no longer required in many places which could lead to a surge in cases in the coming months. 

In the spring and summer, many areas witnessed a resurgence of common viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).  A study conducted at Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio, from October 2020 through April 2021 – when pandemic measures were in place – found just two cases of flu and no cases of RSV during those months.  However, when restrictions relaxed in mid-March, viral infections returned.  Hospitals reported surprisingly high numbers of toddlers diagnosed with severe cases of RSV, likely because they were not exposed as infants in the early months of the pandemic.  While the severity of the flu season is difficult to predict, the concern is that hospital oxygen availability and staffing will be insufficient if flu and COVID-19 admissions surge together in the months ahead.  

The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine.  Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from influenza – adults 65 years and older, those with chronic health conditions, pregnant women and young children.  Flu vaccination reduces flu illnesses, physician visits, and missed work days and school, and prevents flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.  Flu vaccines assist the immune system to develop antibodies to fight the virus about two weeks after vaccination.  These antibodies provide protection against infection with circulating influenza viruses.

Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season.  All flu vaccines in the United States are quadrivalent vaccines, meaning that these protect against four different flu viruses; an influenza A(H1N1) virus, an influenza A(H3N2) virus, and two influenza B viruses.  Some people who get vaccinated may still become ill from the flu; however, flu vaccination has been shown to reduce the severity of the illness in those who get vaccinated.  A 2021 study showed that among adults, flu vaccination was associated with a 26 percent lower risk of Hospital admission and a 31 percent lower risk of death from flu compared with those who were unvaccinated.

According to clinical trials, individuals can receive a flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine or booster vaccine simultaneously.  When COVID-19 vaccines first began to be administered, the CDC recommended waiting 14 days between vaccination and other immunizations as a precaution.  The agency has since revised guidelines and notes the wait is unnecessary.  The CDC and other health experts point to past experience showing that vaccines work as expected and any side effects are similar whether the shots are given separately or in the same visit.

Most physician offices and local pharmacies should have the flu vaccine available.  Discuss the benefits and precautions of vaccination with your primary care physician.  COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots also should be readily available.  To find out more about COVID-19 vaccination, visit LMHealth.org.