Local Health Authorities Warn Flu Season “Could Be Much Worse This Year” | Health care

URBANA – Local health officials are urging more people to get the flu shot to arm themselves against an upcoming flu season that could be brutal.

The response to influenza vaccination clinics in the region this year has been declining, although there is a Saturday left at the Christie Clinic and officials are hoping for good attendance.

Carle Health’s flu shot clinics in several communities across the region have been closed for the coming season, and they ended up serving only about half of the patients they treated last year, according to Dr Robert Healy, Head of Medical Quality at Carle.

The response to influenza vaccination clinics last year has been unusually high, possibly due to the high-profile threat of a double stroke of the flu and COVID-19 and the pressure that could be on hospitals. , Healy said.

There has been less discussion about it this year, although the threat of a resurgence of influenza combined with COVID-19 infections remains a concern, he said.

The Christie Clinic has 12 drive-thru flu clinics scheduled for this fall and had to cancel one due to weather conditions.

“We are slightly below the number of vaccines given last year by averaging each clinic,” said Christie spokesperson Melissa Tepovich.

Christie Clinic’s final influenza vaccination clinic is from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Christie facility at 1801 W. Windsor Road, C.

Champaign-Urbana public health district deputy administrator Awais Vaid said his agency did not have a good mechanism for tracking the number of people vaccinated against influenza locally – but the response to the influenza vaccine in Champaign County would be around 50%.

“It’s very important that people get the flu shot this year,” Vaid said. “Given that the flu season was very mild last year, there is concern that it will be much worse this year. We encourage everyone to get a flu shot as soon as possible, especially people with underlying illnesses and the elderly. We don’t want anyone to be in a situation where they are infected with the flu and COVID at the same time. This can be of great concern. “

Healy said it was possible that more people turned to pharmacies for their flu shot this year after being vaccinated against COVID-19.

Carle urges anyone who still hasn’t received a flu shot to look for one at a drugstore, he said, and it’s also always possible at Carle’s to combine a doctor’s appointment into one. another goal with a flu shot.

It’s also possible that fewer people have had the flu shot this year, as last year’s season was mild due to distance learning, working from home, and people wearing masks and avoiding rallies, Healy said.

But, other than masks, those same protective measures aren’t in place this year, Healy said.

“Typically, we’ve seen in communities that the flu is spreading among school-aged children and they are bringing it home,” he said.

Wearing masks to help protect against COVID-19 should provide some protection against the flu, Healy said. But it is also very important to get the flu shot and resume protective measures such as frequent hand washing and cover for coughs and sneezes, he said.

COVID-19 continues to strain the healthcare system, and it’s not going to go away, Healy said.

By adding a lot of hospitalizations for the flu, “it will definitely put more strain on the system.” This is why getting the vaccine is so critical, ”he said.

For those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu, and for those who still need the flu shots and a COVID-19 booster, it is safe to receive both at the same time, said Healy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that the next flu season could be severe, due to fewer mitigation measures in place and reduced immunity following the record number of influenza infections. last year.

The CDC advises almost everyone over 6 months of age to get a flu shot by the end of October.