It is officially flu season! Unfortunately, this year it will overlap our present COVID-19 pandemic. People will be forced into their homes as the weather gets colder. Hopefully, we will continue to be socially distancing, wearing masks, and washing our hands to prevent Both infections!
Unlike COVID, we do have an influenza vaccine and oral treatment options. I typically recommend everyone get their flu shots in October to extend through to March. Among the vaccine options we offer in the office, for those 18-64 years old, I recommend a quadrivalent or Flublok vaccine. For those over the age of 65, we recommend the high-dose vaccine. Any children younger than 18 can receive an injectable (inactive) version versus a nasal mist (live attenuated) flu vaccine.
These treatments will hopefully minimize or prevent the infection. It can be devastating to obtain a case of influenza concomitantly with COVID infection. So please get your Flu vaccine now if you have not done so already!
Frequently Asked Questions we get in the office:
No, the flu shot does not contain a live virus, so it will not cause illness.
Yes, we recommend everyone get their flu shot every year in October to last the season's remainder through March.
The high dose flu vaccine offers a more potent dose of the inactive viral strain to incite a more robust immune response in seniors instead of the standard (Flublok) strength.
At this time, we are only taking patients by appointment to help reduce the amount of contact between patients to promote social distancing with Covid. Please call the office at (281) 207-0770 to schedule your flu shot appointment, or ask to add it to an existing one.
