(Ithaca, N.Y., October 10, 2024) – Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) is alerting the community of the importance of prioritizing flu (influenza) vaccinations in early fall and invites the community to join us in saying “BOO to the FLU!” this year.
Influenza, or the flu, can cause mild to severe illness, with symptoms commonly including fever or feeling feverish/having chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue (tiredness), and vomiting and diarrhea. Flu viruses are highly contagious, spread mainly by tiny droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking.
Vaccination is the best protection against the flu. It is proven to cut down on hospitalizations and death from the flu. Vaccination can prevent you from getting sick, which can prevent you from spreading the flu to others.
TCWH’s Medical Director Dr. William Klepack stated, “Children under 5 years, persons 65 years and older, people with certain chronic health conditions, and pregnant women and their babies are most at risk from the flu. They should definitely get vaccinated. The rest of us should get vaccinated so that we don’t lose time from work, spread it to others, or suffer from the miserable symptoms of influenza. If you have a highly vulnerable family member, co-worker, or friend you should get vaccinated to help protect them.”
It is recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older receive a flu shot in early fall. Flu vaccines are now available at many locations throughout our community, including healthcare provider offices, pharmacies, and clinics. Vaccination in previous years is not sufficient since the flu virus changes each year. Getting this year’s vaccine for this year’s virus is best. For people aged 65 or over, the “high dose” flu vaccine has been shown to be most effective. If the “high dose” vaccine is not available, people in this age group should get a standard dose flu vaccine instead, so as not to delay their vaccination.
Just as the flu vaccine keeps you from serious illness, so does the new COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone ages 6 months and older can now also receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines can be taken at the same time as a flu shot, so double up your protection this fall. The number of deaths in the United States from COVID-19 in 2023 was 76,446. TCWH recommends that you consider getting both the flu and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.
To get one or both vaccines, check with your local pharmacy or talk to your healthcare provider. Dial 2-1-1 (1-877-211-8667) for assistance with finding an appointment or for assistance with setting up primary healthcare or health insurance.
Dr. Klepack continued, “The flu causes many to lose time at school and income from missed work. In the 2022-2023 flu season (the last flu season there is final data for), in the United States, 31 million people developed flu illness, 14 million visited a healthcare provider for the flu, 360,000 were hospitalized, and 21,000 people died. Many of those could have been saved by vaccination. Influenza strikes hard in late December through early January. It takes about 2 weeks after being vaccinated to start having protection. We must take the flu seriously. Don’t delay – get vaccinated now.”
Learn more about the influenza online at: tompkinscountyny.gov/health/flu.
Media contact: Shannon Alvord, salvord@tompkins-co.org
-end-
