It’s flu season, and medical and public health professionals across the country are bracing for the potential of continued issues with COVID-19 overlapping with a flu outbreak to create what some are calling a “twindemic.” While flu activity is relatively low at the moment and more than 120 million doses of the vaccine have been distributed, there remains the challenge of convincing people nationwide to get a flu shot. In 2019, only around 45 percent of adults were vaccinated. This figure is concerning during a typical year, and exacerbated by the overlap of symptoms of the COVID-19 and the flu, along with concerns around hospital capacity.
“The most important reason to get the flu shot this year is to try to decrease the number of people who get sick and reduce the impact on the health system in a time during which we have an ongoing pandemic,” said Dr. Robert Jones, medical director of the Student Health Center at UNC Charlotte. “By getting the flu shot, you are helping to potentially reduce the numbers of people with respiratory illness seeking treatment at hospitals and doctor’s offices. Resources that would be diverted to the flu will absolutely be needed for COVID-19 this year.”
Overlap between the coronavirus and the flu are also a concern for doctors.
“The symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are also relatively similar. You have far less chances of getting the flu if you’re vaccinated, and even if you get the flu, the chances of getting really sick are significantly decreased. Vaccination also mitigates the potential of the multiplication of issues that happens when a person gets the flu on top of COVID-19,” Jones said.
Flu season typically peaks between December and February and can last into May some years. Extensive research shows the flu vaccine is safe, and any side effects are generally mild.
UNC Charlotte will host a flu shot clinic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 16, in the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340.
No appointments are necessary, and there is no cost with appropriate insurance cards. Publix also will provide a $10 gift card to participants.
Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 17, any UNC Charlotte student, faculty, or staff member who has not completed a flu shot attestation form acknowledging they received the vaccine or identifying an accepted exemption will be locked out of their NinerNet account until they do.
To find the form, search "flu vaccine attestation" in your inbox as each link is unique to the person receiving it.
For more information on the flu and flu vaccination, visit Niner Nation Cares.