With majority of US adults being vaccinated, the summer of 2021 feels like the big COVID waves are behind, however health officials are wary of the more aggressive Delta variant of COVID-19 that spread rapidly during the 2020-2021 flu season from October 1, 2021 to April 1, 2022.
If this is true, there is a strong possibility that hospitals and their resources will be placed under tremendous strain again.
This is amplified even further as many nurses and hospital staff are leaving the industry after a harsh year.
How can we help reduce hospital burden?
If more Americans choose to receive a flu shot, this could ease the strain on hospitals across the country as less people go into the hospital and doctor’s offices with flu-like symptoms.
Remember, nearly 34 million people in the United States have been infected with COVID-19 leading to more than 600,000 deaths.
The flu season usually brings up to 740,000 hospitalizations and 62,000 deaths. With the added medical attention necessary from a potential COVID wave in the fall, you can see how this will hinder the normal operation of your local hospitals, especially in lower vaccinated communities.
What does the CDC say?
In 2021-2022, all influenza vaccines, regardless of type, will contain the same lineages of Influenza B, which are unchanged from the 2020-2021 season. This coincides with the matched protection seen in both the northern hemisphere’s 2020-2021 season and the southern hemisphere’s season so far.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that less than half of Americans, approximately 45%, get the flu vaccine each year.
According to the CDC Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases Jay Butler, “Getting a flu vaccine will be more important than ever as flu and COVID-19 could be circulating together as we move into the fall and winter months.”
It has also been approved that you can receive both your a COVID vaccine shot and a flu shot, in seperate arms, at the same time. If you need a vaccine or flu shot, reach out to CNS OccMed today.
Who should get the flu vaccine and when?
The CDC recommends that anyone 6 months and older get a yearly flu vaccine and recommends getting the flu vaccine as early as September and October.
Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza.
Staying ahead of the virus and getting your flu shot as soon as possible will help reduce the potential strain on hospital resources if people are getting sick. However, if flu viruses are still circulating, then flu vaccination should continue into January or later.
Where can you get the flu shot?
There are a lot of options out there to get your flu shot, but if you are local to the Lititz, Pennsylvania area, CNS Occupational Medicine can assist with your 2021-2022 flu shot.
We offer flu shots to individuals or companies with a large set of employees interested in obtaining the flu vaccine.
Our Occupational Medicine Team is knowledgeable and focused on best-in-class customer service when it comes to treating workers and employers, creating long-term health and wellness.
The goal of our medical staff is to keep workers safe and healthy on the job, allowing you to continue the production that keeps your business running.
In addition to flu shots, we offer a number of other health related services, including COVID-19 services, physicals, health exams, and more.
For more information, contact us at 800.551.9816 or info@cnsoccmed.com.
