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Doctors say it’s critical to get a flu shot now with holiday gatherings approaching.
“Not just of flu, but by RSV and COVID as well,” said Dr. Willie Underwood, AMA board of trustees members chair-elect.
Flu cases have become the latest respiratory illness to cause problems just one week into the month of December.
Nearly every state in the country is reporting “high” or “very high” levels of flu-like activity. Hospitalization rates nationwide are the highest they’ve been at this point in the season in more than 10 years, statistics show.
The “Get My Flu Shot” campaign is encouraging people to get a flu shot before they meet with family and friends for the holidays.
Doctors said the current influenza vaccines have shown to be very effective against the current strain sweeping across the country.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone 6 years of age and older should get a flu shot, with rare exceptions. It’s especially important for those at higher risk for serious illness. That includes adults over the age of 65, children younger than 2 years old, those who are pregnant or just finished a pregnancy and those with conditions like asthma, blood disorders, chronic lung disease and heart disease.
“We really want to ensure and really emphasize that getting a flu shot is really one thing that we can all do to help slow the spread of flu and keep ourselves, our families and our communities safe and healthy,” said Dr. Chastity Walker, CDC Senior Advisor for Health Equity.
It is safe to get the flu shot and an updated COVID-19 booster at the same time, Walker said. The sooner people roll up their sleeves, the sooner we can reduce the risk of spreading both conditions, she added.
“Vaccines are essential,” Walker said. “They have both shown to be safe and effective and there is plenty of vaccine supply.”