As many people resume travel this holiday season to gather with family and friends, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today reminded residents about the importance of receiving the flu shot. This week, National Influenza Vaccination Week, is an important reminder to check off one thing no one should go through the holiday season without: a flu vaccine.
“Influenza must be taken seriously because of its capacity to spread rapidly and to cause serious illness and severe stress on our healthcare system, which has been challenged to the max over the past two years,” said County Executive Bellone. “Flu activity during the 2020-2021 season was very low, likely because of COVID-19 prevention, but because immune protection against flu decreases over time, many of our residents may have reduced immunity to flu this season.”
Health officials are particularly concerned about the impact reduced immunity could have on people who are already at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, including those with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, heart disease and diabetes.
Dr. Gregson Pigott, Suffolk County’s Commissioner of Health said: “The CDC estimates that only about half of adults 18 to 64 years of age with at least one chronic health condition received a flu vaccine last season. This means many people who are most vulnerable to getting very sick with flu are not getting the protection they need.”
Flu vaccines are critical for people with certain chronic health conditions. Adults with asthma, heart disease, diabetes and certain other chronic health conditions are at higher risk of developing potentially serious flu complications, including hospitalization or even death. In past flu seasons, nine out of ten adults hospitalized with flu had at least one reported underlying medical condition.
Even more concerning is that heart disease and diabetes were the most common chronic conditions among hospitalized adults with flu during recent seasons — about half of adults hospitalized with flu had heart disease, and about 30% had diabetes.
Additionally, first estimates for flu vaccine uptake among children and pregnant people so far this flu season are lower than the same time last season. This could be dangerous for many of the people in these groups. Flu vaccines can be lifesaving in children, and flu vaccination helps protect pregnant people during pregnancy, as well as their baby for several months after birth.
Dr. Shaheda Iftikhar, Suffolk County’s Chief Deputy Health Commissioner said: “We know that flu viruses are constantly changing, and multiple flu viruses can circulate at the same time during any given flu season. Because of this, flu vaccines are reviewed each year and updated as needed. In fact, two of the components included in this year’s vaccine were updated from last year to better match flu viruses that are expected to spread in the U.S. this season.”
Health officials also make the point that flu vaccines are the only vaccines that protect against flu. Flu and COVID-19 are different diseases caused by different viruses. Flu vaccines protect against the four flu viruses that research indicates will be the most common during flu season, and COVID-19 vaccines protect against the virus that causes COVID-19. One vaccine is not a substitute or a replacement for the other.
Both vaccines are recommended, and it’s important that people are up to date on their recommended flu and COVID-19 vaccines. In fact, a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine can be given during the same visit, if the timing coincides.
Annual flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older and is the best way to help protect against flu. This National Influenza Vaccination Week, go to your doctor or local pharmacy to get your flu vaccine, encourage your loved ones to get their flu vaccine
Additional information about the seriousness of flu and the benefits of flu vaccinations can be found on Suffolk County’s website.