Is the flu vaccine more important during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Is the flu vaccine more important during the COVID-19 pandemic?
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As the Northern Hemisphere enters influenza (flu) season during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get vaccinated against the flu. Reasons include: - Reducing strains on health systems providing testing and care - Preventing patients from becoming infected with the flu and COVID-19 at the same time - Protecting the lives of people who are the most vulnerable to getting sick, such as very young children, people with certain health conditions, and older adults Flu cases occur year-round, but tend to peak during the fall and winter seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. Seasonal flu vaccines, also called flu shots when given via injection, help the body to develop antibodies about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies help the immune system fight against infection from certain strains of influenza viruses. Each year, research indicates what the most common influenza viruses may be during the upcoming season, and flu vaccines are developed to tackle those strains. Flu vaccines do not protect against every strain of influenza because there are many, and mutations are frequent. Flu vaccines are widely considered safe and effective for preventing illness and death from the flu. Flu vaccines can have added benefits for people with certain chronic medical conditions, such as reducing illness flare-ups in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death among people with heart disease. There are many types of flu vaccines available, including for children as young as 6 months of age and for older adults above 65 years of age. Most flu vaccines are considered safe for the general population between 6 months and 65 years of age, including pregnant women and people with certain health conditions. There are limited exceptions to who should get a flu vaccine, based on factors such as age, health status, and allergies. Anyone with concerns about getting a flu vaccine can consult a doctor. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting a flu vaccine every year, and emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated against the flu in 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It is better to get a flu vaccine early in the season, before the flu season peaks, rather than waiting until influenza viruses are spreading in your community. When going to get a flu vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic, plan to take recommended precautions such as wearing a face covering (preferably a cloth mask over a surgical mask) and practicing good hygiene.
As the Northern Hemisphere enters influenza (flu) season during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get vaccinated against the flu. Reasons include: - Reducing strains on health systems providing testing and care - Preventing patients from becoming infected with the flu and COVID-19 at the same time - Protecting the lives of people who are the most vulnerable to getting sick, such as very young children, people with certain health conditions, and older adults Flu cases occur year-round, but tend to peak during the fall and winter seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. Seasonal flu vaccines, also called flu shots when given via injection, help the body to develop antibodies about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies help the immune system fight against infection from certain strains of influenza viruses. Each year, research indicates what the most common influenza viruses may be during the upcoming season, and flu vaccines are developed to tackle those strains. Flu vaccines do not protect against every strain of influenza because there are many, and mutations are frequent. Flu vaccines are widely considered safe and effective for preventing illness and death from the flu. Flu vaccines can have added benefits for people with certain chronic medical conditions, such as reducing illness flare-ups in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death among people with heart disease. There are many types of flu vaccines available, including for children as young as 6 months of age and for older adults above 65 years of age. Most flu vaccines are considered safe for the general population between 6 months and 65 years of age, including pregnant women and people with certain health conditions. There are limited exceptions to who should get a flu vaccine, based on factors such as age, health status, and allergies. Anyone with concerns about getting a flu vaccine can consult a doctor. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting a flu vaccine every year, and emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated against the flu in 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It is better to get a flu vaccine early in the season, before the flu season peaks, rather than waiting until influenza viruses are spreading in your community. When going to get a flu vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic, plan to take recommended precautions such as wearing a face covering (preferably a cloth mask over a surgical mask) and practicing good hygiene.
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What our experts say
As the Northern Hemisphere enters influenza (flu) season during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get vaccinated against the flu. Reasons include:
- Reducing strains on health systems providing testing and care
- Preventing patients from becoming infected with the flu and COVID-19 at the same time
- Protecting the lives of people who are the most vulnerable to getting sick, such as very young children, people with certain health conditions, and older adults
Flu cases occur year-round, but tend to peak during the fall and winter seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. Seasonal flu vaccines, also called flu shots when given via injection, help the body to develop antibodies about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies help the immune system fight against infection from certain strains of influenza viruses. Each year, research indicates what the most common influenza viruses may be during the upcoming season, and flu vaccines are developed to tackle those strains. Flu vaccines do not protect against every strain of influenza because there are many, and mutations are frequent.
Flu vaccines are widely considered safe and effective for preventing illness and death from the flu. Flu vaccines can have added benefits for people with certain chronic medical conditions, such as reducing illness flare-ups in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death among people with heart disease.
There are many types of flu vaccines available, including for children as young as 6 months of age and for older adults above 65 years of age. Most flu vaccines are considered safe for the general population between 6 months and 65 years of age, including pregnant women and people with certain health conditions. There are limited exceptions to who should get a flu vaccine, based on factors such as age, health status, and allergies. Anyone with concerns about getting a flu vaccine can consult a doctor.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting a flu vaccine every year, and emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated against the flu in 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It is better to get a flu vaccine early in the season, before the flu season peaks, rather than waiting until influenza viruses are spreading in your community. When going to get a flu vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic, plan to take recommended precautions such as wearing a face covering (preferably a cloth mask over a surgical mask) and practicing good hygiene.
As the Northern Hemisphere enters influenza (flu) season during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get vaccinated against the flu. Reasons include:
- Reducing strains on health systems providing testing and care
- Preventing patients from becoming infected with the flu and COVID-19 at the same time
- Protecting the lives of people who are the most vulnerable to getting sick, such as very young children, people with certain health conditions, and older adults
Flu cases occur year-round, but tend to peak during the fall and winter seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. Seasonal flu vaccines, also called flu shots when given via injection, help the body to develop antibodies about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies help the immune system fight against infection from certain strains of influenza viruses. Each year, research indicates what the most common influenza viruses may be during the upcoming season, and flu vaccines are developed to tackle those strains. Flu vaccines do not protect against every strain of influenza because there are many, and mutations are frequent.
Flu vaccines are widely considered safe and effective for preventing illness and death from the flu. Flu vaccines can have added benefits for people with certain chronic medical conditions, such as reducing illness flare-ups in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death among people with heart disease.
There are many types of flu vaccines available, including for children as young as 6 months of age and for older adults above 65 years of age. Most flu vaccines are considered safe for the general population between 6 months and 65 years of age, including pregnant women and people with certain health conditions. There are limited exceptions to who should get a flu vaccine, based on factors such as age, health status, and allergies. Anyone with concerns about getting a flu vaccine can consult a doctor.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting a flu vaccine every year, and emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated against the flu in 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It is better to get a flu vaccine early in the season, before the flu season peaks, rather than waiting until influenza viruses are spreading in your community. When going to get a flu vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic, plan to take recommended precautions such as wearing a face covering (preferably a cloth mask over a surgical mask) and practicing good hygiene.
Context and background
Public health agencies are widely promoting the flu vaccine in fall 2020, as the Northern Hemisphere enters peak flu season.
Although the flu has a lower infection fatality rate than COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that respiratory infections linked to seasonal flu killed up to 650,000 per year before the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare workers and public health experts fear there may be additional consequences with the 2020 flu season peaking during the on-going global COVID-19 pandemic.
It is possible that the flu season will not be as bad in 2020 due to preventative measures that people are already taking for COVID-19, such as wearing face coverings and masks (the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask for increased protection), maintaining physical distance from other people, and keeping surfaces and hands clean. For example, some countries in the Southern Hemisphere have reported lower cases of the flu during their anticipated seasonal peak in 2020. Scientists are currently monitoring flu cases around the world, and it is not yet known with certainty what will happen in the Northern Hemisphere.
Getting a flu vaccine remains an important preventative measure to reduce strains on health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the potential to help save lives. There are also benefits to preventing illness in healthy people who are likely to recover from the flu, in terms of fewer missed days of school, work, and caring for others. By getting the flu vaccine, people also prevent transmission of the flu to others. When enough people get the flu vaccine, this may help achieve herd immunity to protect people who were unable to get the flu vaccine due to health reasons.
Flu vaccines cannot protect against COVID-19, which is why COVID-19 vaccines are currently being developed. Recent research suggests that it is possible for flu vaccines to have protective effects from severe symptoms of COVID-19. For example, a pre-print study from June 2020 analyzed 92,664 Brazilian patients confirmed to have COVID-19. The researchers found that patients who received a recent influenza vaccine experienced on average 8% lower odds of needing intensive care treatment, 18% lower odds of needing invasive respiratory support, and 17% lower odds of death.
Additionally, flu vaccines have not been found to increase the chances of getting COVID-19. There was a January 2020 report that suggested an association between flu vaccination and the risk of getting four commonly circulating seasonal coronaviruses (not including the coronavirus that causes COVID-19), but this finding was shown to be incorrect.
Public health agencies are widely promoting the flu vaccine in fall 2020, as the Northern Hemisphere enters peak flu season.
Although the flu has a lower infection fatality rate than COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that respiratory infections linked to seasonal flu killed up to 650,000 per year before the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare workers and public health experts fear there may be additional consequences with the 2020 flu season peaking during the on-going global COVID-19 pandemic.
It is possible that the flu season will not be as bad in 2020 due to preventative measures that people are already taking for COVID-19, such as wearing face coverings and masks (the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask for increased protection), maintaining physical distance from other people, and keeping surfaces and hands clean. For example, some countries in the Southern Hemisphere have reported lower cases of the flu during their anticipated seasonal peak in 2020. Scientists are currently monitoring flu cases around the world, and it is not yet known with certainty what will happen in the Northern Hemisphere.
Getting a flu vaccine remains an important preventative measure to reduce strains on health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the potential to help save lives. There are also benefits to preventing illness in healthy people who are likely to recover from the flu, in terms of fewer missed days of school, work, and caring for others. By getting the flu vaccine, people also prevent transmission of the flu to others. When enough people get the flu vaccine, this may help achieve herd immunity to protect people who were unable to get the flu vaccine due to health reasons.
Flu vaccines cannot protect against COVID-19, which is why COVID-19 vaccines are currently being developed. Recent research suggests that it is possible for flu vaccines to have protective effects from severe symptoms of COVID-19. For example, a pre-print study from June 2020 analyzed 92,664 Brazilian patients confirmed to have COVID-19. The researchers found that patients who received a recent influenza vaccine experienced on average 8% lower odds of needing intensive care treatment, 18% lower odds of needing invasive respiratory support, and 17% lower odds of death.
Additionally, flu vaccines have not been found to increase the chances of getting COVID-19. There was a January 2020 report that suggested an association between flu vaccination and the risk of getting four commonly circulating seasonal coronaviruses (not including the coronavirus that causes COVID-19), but this finding was shown to be incorrect.
Resources
- Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine (U.S. CDC)
- Frequently Asked Influenza (Flu) Questions: 2020-2021 Season (U.S. CDC)
- Flu Vaccination Urged During COVID-19 Pandemic (JAMA)
- Why COVID-19 Means You Need a Flu Shot This Year (University of California, San Francisco)
- Time for flu shots — getting one is more important than ever! (Harvard Medical School)
- Rates of Co-infection Between SARS-CoV-2 and Other Respiratory Pathogens (JAMA)
- Up to 650 000 people die of respiratory diseases linked to seasonal flu each year (WHO)
- Influenza Update 376, 14 September 2020 (WHO)
- Decreased Influenza Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, Australia, Chile, and South Africa, 2020 (U.S. CDC)
- Inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine is associated with lower mortality among Covid-19 patients in Brazil (medRxiv)
- Maximizing Fit for Cloth and Medical Procedure Masks to Improve Performance and Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Exposure, 2021 (U.S. CDC)
- Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine (U.S. CDC)
- Frequently Asked Influenza (Flu) Questions: 2020-2021 Season (U.S. CDC)
- Flu Vaccination Urged During COVID-19 Pandemic (JAMA)
- Why COVID-19 Means You Need a Flu Shot This Year (University of California, San Francisco)
- Time for flu shots — getting one is more important than ever! (Harvard Medical School)
- Rates of Co-infection Between SARS-CoV-2 and Other Respiratory Pathogens (JAMA)
- Up to 650 000 people die of respiratory diseases linked to seasonal flu each year (WHO)
- Influenza Update 376, 14 September 2020 (WHO)
- Decreased Influenza Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, Australia, Chile, and South Africa, 2020 (U.S. CDC)
- Inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine is associated with lower mortality among Covid-19 patients in Brazil (medRxiv)
- Maximizing Fit for Cloth and Medical Procedure Masks to Improve Performance and Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Exposure, 2021 (U.S. CDC)
