By Kate Leo
Since March, one of the top conversation topics and causes of anxiety has been COVID-19. Since January 21st, 2020, there have been 5,845,876 cases reported in the United States with 180,165 deaths (“CDC COVID Data Tracker). Millions of people have filed for unemployment, thousands of small businesses have closed their doors permanently, and universities that opened in hopes of being able to control the virus have started to shut down. Although there are hopes of a vaccine soon, COVID-19 does not seem to be going away any time in the next couple of months. Therefore, this pandemic is going to overlap with the yearly flu epidemic, causing a twindemic.
COVID-19 and the flu are both respiratory viruses. If an individual contracts the flu, their immune system will be weaker, and he/she may not be able to fight COVID-19 as well as they could under normal circumstances. As a result, there is a fear of increased hospitalizations and the possibility of overrunning the medical system like what has occurred in many hospitals during this first wave of coronavirus (UMMS). Therefore, this year it is more important than ever to receive the flu vaccine. Health officials have urged heavy marketing over the next couple of months to encourage individuals to get the shot. Even if the vaccine is not 100% effective against the flu, it will at least help mitigate the chances of contracting it and symptoms that may follow if you do contract it. According to the New York times, vaccine makers are projecting 98 million flu shots to be administered this season, which is a 15% increase from last year. The CDC usually only buys 500,000 doses for those uninsured, but this year, they are ordering 9.3 million more (Hoffman). Pharmacies are making the vaccine more available to all, such that they are administering the shot to children; previously, pediatricians had to give permission or do it in their office.
However, only 45.3% of US citizens over the age of 18 got the flu vaccine last year (Hoffman). Hopefully, with an increased campaign voicing the benefits of receiving the flu shot this year combined with the fear of a twindemic, more individuals will be inclined to take the initiative to get the vaccine. It is worth noting that once getting the shot, the immunity lasts for about six months; therefore, the best time to get it in September or October.
Time will only tell about how the US will be impacted by this twindemic, but the power is in our hands to receive the flu vaccine, maintain social distancing rules, follow CDC guidelines, and encourage our family and friends to do the same.
References:
“CDC COVID Data Tracker.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases.
Hoffman, Jan. “Fearing a 'Twindemic,' Health Experts Push Urgently for Flu Shots.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 16 Aug. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/08/16/health/coronavirus-flu-vaccine-twindemic.html.
“UMMS Infectious Disease Expert Urges Flu Vaccination to Avoid COVID-19 'Twindemic'.” UniversityofMassachusettsMedicalSchool, 27Aug.2020, www.umassmed.edu/news/news-archives/2020/08/umms-infectious-disease-expert-urges-flu-va ccination-to-avoid-covid-19-twindemic/.
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