This fall and winter could be rough from a viral infection standpoint. Due to COVID, a number of our seasonal viral infections have been occuring at unusual times. For example, we saw RSV infections in kids this summer when this is usually a fall and winter viral infection. Similarly, influenza is around early this year. I highly recommend getting your flu shot now to help protect you against serious infection. I’ve had a number of patients remark that flu felt worse than having COVID, and this may be due to changes in our immunity over the past few years.
The flu shot is not a “live” vaccine – this means it cannot make you sick. Many of us have endured COVID vaccines and the way it makes us feel as it revs up our immune system. In comparison to this, the flu shot will be a breeze. You may feel some slight body aches, headache, fever, but typically this is very mild.
The COVID Omicron booster is also available! I highly recommend getting this, especially since influenza is hitting while COVID is circulating at high levels in our community. If you have not had the COVID vaccine at all, it is not too late to get this! Research continues to show that vaccination protects against severe disease and death, even if you’ve already had COVID.
Have a happy fall, y’all, and go get those shots!
