The Latest: US health experts urge flu shots ahead of season

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

NEW YORK — The U.S. is gearing up for the flu season on top of the continuing COVID-19 crisis.

Health officials urged Americans to get vaccinated against both the flu and coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccination for just about everyone, starting with 6-month-old babies.

Flu cases dropped to historically low levels globally over the pandemic, as restrictions designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus helped block other respiratory viruses. But with schools and businesses reopened, there’s no way to predict how bad a flu season the country might expect this winter.

“We certainly don’t want a ‘twindemic,’ both COVID and influenza,” said Dr. William Schaffner of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.



In this photo provided by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky receives her flu shot on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 in Atlanta. The U.S. is gearing up in case of a bad flu season on top of the continuing COVID-19 crisis, with a plea Thursday for Americans to get vaccinated against both. (National Foundation for Infectious Diseases via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-9fce00cff9c9144d1adb50c93a40f65d

[Lonestarblue]

1. Already have an appointment for my flu shot.

And as soon as the FDA gives approval for the Moderna booster, I’ll be signing up for that too. No sense in taking chances.

[SoCalNative]

2. Already got mine 2 weeks ago

now just waiting until my appointment on the 15th to get my COVID booster.

[GPV]

3. School district flu shots are tomorrow.

[SheltieLover]

5. Getting mine tomorrow

[MiniMe]

6. Got mine a few weeks ago

Had a Dr appointment today, and everybody, the nurse, the doctor and everybody else I talked to asked me if I had my flu shot

[IBEWVET]

7. Got mine on Monday.

Made sure to get the old peoples version.

[Aristus]

8. For the first time in a long time, my patients are coming in begging for the flu shot.

Instead of the usual yearly process of having to arm-wrestle them best two-out-of-three to get them to get immunized.

A rare salutary effect of the global pandemic.