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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues into yet another fall and winter, healthcare workers are preparing for the increased spread of another virus: influenza, more commonly known as the flu.
鈥淔lu cases were low last year because we were in a province-wide lockdown. This year, however, we鈥檙e seeing more people socializing in-person, commuting to work, travelling recreationally and being out and about in the community,鈥� says Dr. Janine McCready, Infectious Diseases Physician at Michael 九游体育 (MGH).
鈥淭his means we will likely see an increase of all viruses compared to last year, including COVID-19 and the flu,鈥� Janine continues. 鈥淭his has the potential to overwhelm healthcare systems and lead to serious, potentially life-threatening illness in individuals.鈥�
Every year, healthcare practitioners like Janine recommend anyone over six months old get the flu vaccine, which protects the body from serious illness, death and hospitalization from the flu. This year is no different.
In fact, Janine says there are even more benefits to getting the flu vaccine this year because COVID-19 鈥� another contagious respiratory virus with similar symptoms as the flu, including fever, cough and sore throat 鈥� is also circulating.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really a no-brainer,鈥� says Janine, who will be getting the flu vaccine this year along with her partner and two kids.
鈥淚f there鈥檚 something that would make driving safer, for example, people would do it. It鈥檚 good sense to try to use all the resources at our disposal to protect ourselves and our loved ones during a time of year when more people tend to get sick.鈥�
Below, Janine shares five reasons why it鈥檚 more important than ever to get the flu vaccine this year.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) says including the flu vaccine.
This includes getting the flu vaccine between your first and second dose, and between your second and third dose if you are eligible.
NACI says it has reviewed updated evidence on the COVID-19 vaccines and the data around giving other vaccines at the same time or within days of each other.
The group found no safety concerns around co-administering the COVID-19 vaccine with other vaccines. This includes co-administering vaccines in pregnant people, children, the elderly and individuals who are immunocompromised.
However, NACI notes people may experience more temporary side effects when a COVID-19 vaccine and another vaccine are given around the same time. These side effects are typically minor and go away after a short time.
In addition, the group says different vaccines administered at the same time should use two different injection sites. (For example, your left arm and right arm.)
鈥淭he fact that we鈥檙e safely able to co-administer the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine means we can more quickly protect most of the population from both the influenza virus and COVID-19,鈥� Janine says.
鈥淭his helps reduce the amount of viruses circulating in the community, which improves health outcomes for everyone.鈥�
During the pandemic, stay-at-home orders have been implemented around the world to keep COVID-19 infection and transmission rates low so hospitals are not overwhelmed by capacity.
Janine says getting the flu vaccine helps achieve the same goal this fall.
By getting the flu vaccine, you will protect yourself and others from the influenza virus and complications related to it. This helps keep you and others out of hospital, so resources are available for patients with other medical issues.
鈥淚f we get an increase in COVID-19 and flu cases at the same time, that is going to cause significant stress on the healthcare system, resulting in more hospitalizations and generally poorer health outcomes for people,鈥� Janine says.
The influenza virus and COVID-19 share some symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat and fatigue.
This makes it difficult, even for infectious disease experts, to determine which one of the two viruses someone may be suffering from without conducting a formal test.
Therefore, by getting the flu vaccine, you significantly decrease your chances of contracting the influenza virus.
This helps to ensure that, if you do begin experiencing symptoms like fever and cough, you self-isolate and seek medical attention as it may be COVID-19.
鈥淕etting the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine helps decrease the overall number of viruses that are circulating and the potential for transmission,鈥� Janine says.
Scientists and medical practitioners are still studying the intricacies of COVID-19, including how it affects the body alongside other viruses like influenza.
While there is still much we don鈥檛 know, Janine says the few cases of co-infection we have seen internationally have resulted in worse health outcomes for people.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 know enough about how often co-infections happen with COVID-19 and how severe they can be, so minimizing infections is a priority,鈥� says Dr. McCready.
People who have had COVID-19 or the flu may also be more susceptible to bacterial infections, which, in some cases, can lead to serious disease and even death.
Protecting yourself from the flu therefore protects your body from these infections, too.
鈥淕etting the flu vaccine makes it far less likely that you鈥檒l develop a severe illness,鈥� says Dr. McCready.
The bottom line is vaccines work. They are rigorously tested and shown to demonstrate safety and efficacy before being used on the public, Janine says, and they are one of our first lines of defence against illness.
In this, getting the flu vaccine is similar to following public health guidelines like physical distancing, wearing a mask and washing your hands.
鈥淭hese are all tools in our toolkit in the fight against the flu, COVID-19 and other viruses,鈥� Janine says. 鈥淭hey help keep people healthy.鈥�
Even if you personally think getting the flu vaccine won鈥檛 benefit you, think of the people around you. This includes pregnant people, the elderly, children under five years old and individuals who are immunocompromised.
These groups are more likely to experience serious illness or complications if they get the flu or COVID-19, which makes it even more vital that they and the people around them are vaccinated.
鈥淰accines protect people on an individual level, but they also help protect vulnerable people around you,鈥� Janine says. 鈥淪o, by not getting the flu vaccine 鈥� or the COVID-19 vaccine, for that matter 鈥� you鈥檙e not only putting yourself at risk, you鈥檙e putting these groups at risk, too.鈥�
The flu vaccine is free and available to everyone six months and older in Ontario.