Getting two vaccinations could keep hospitals from overflowing this winter, health experts say.
Last year, health experts feared there could be a twin pandemic of COVID-19 and the flu, but due to more people masking up and fewer events during the winter, that was not the reality. In fact, hospitals all over the country saw record low flu cases and admissions.
With masks no longer required in many places and events back in full swing in Indiana, the flu could make a comeback and another surge of COVID-19 remains possible, health experts say.
Johnson Memorial Hospital is hoping for the best and preparing for the worst, said Dr. David Dunkle, president and CEO.
“It is unpredictable,” Dunkle said. “As we’ve seen more people wearing masks and a return to mask-wearing in places like schools, I’m hopeful there will be fewer flu cases. But we are preparing as if we will see the normal amount.”
Underscoring the importance of both vaccines, the hospital is running a dual COVID-19 booster shot and flu vaccine clinic for its employees, Dunkle said.
Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone age 6 months and older, except for people with severe allergies to ingredients of the vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people with a mild allergy to a flu vaccine ingredient get the vaccine at their doctor’s office in case an allergic reaction occurs.
COVID-19 vaccines are right now are recommended for everyone aged 12 and up, with a recommendation possible for younger children later this month.
Health experts recommend getting a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible and a flu vaccine by the end of October to have full immunity before the start of the traditional flu season.
Each year since 2010, there have been roughly 9 million to 45 million flu illnesses, 140,000 to 810,000 flu hospitalizations and 12,000 to 61,000 flu deaths, the CDC estimates.
Locally, there were more than 500 flu cases diagnosed at Johnson Memorial during the 2017-18 flu season, and more than 300 during the 2018-19 season, hospital data shows.
National data on last year’s flu season is still being compiled, but there were no cases diagnosed at Johnson Memorial, said Michelle Amos, the hospital’s infection control data analyst.
No flu cases have been reported for the 2021-22 flu season so far either That could change at any time, though, Amos said.
Though the severity of COVID-19 is known to many, it is important for the public to remember how dangerous the flu can be, too, Dunkle said.
Flu season could be mild or severe, depending on the precautions people take and the strain of the flu that becomes dominant locally, experts say.
Flu vaccines have protection against four strains of the flu virus that international flu experts expect to be the dominant strains. The strains are hand-picked annually by the flu experts, and the vaccine is reformulated each year, which is why the CDC recommends an annual vaccine.
Dead flu virus particles are used to make the vaccines, so the vaccine does not typically cause side effects other than injection site pain, Amos said. COVID-19 vaccine side effects are more common but typically mild and usually last for fewer than 24 hours. Possible side effects include fever, body aches, headache and injection site pain.
Both vaccines are designed to offer protection against severe infection, which can help people stay at work or in school and out of the hospital. Getting vaccinated is not a guarantee you won’t get either virus, but it gives a baseline immunity to fight it off.
“Just like with the COVID-19 vaccine, if you get the flu vaccine, it could keep you out of the hospital and your symptoms won’t be as severe or last as long,” Amos said.
Previous exposure to either virus does not guarantee another infection won’t take hold. That’s why experts urge the public to get vaccinated regardless of natural immunity. More immunity means more protection against infection, she said.
Aside from the vaccines, defenses against both viruses are the same, as both are respiratory illnesses that are easily spread from person to person. Suggested infection control precautions are frequent hand washing, using hand sanitizer when hand washing is not possible, wearing a face-covering indoors and in crowded spaces, social distancing and staying home when sick.
Vaccines are still the best defense against both, the CDC says.
Flu vaccines are available to the public at a primary care physician’s office, most retail pharmacies, the Johnson County Health Department and several vaccine clinics this month at Johnson County Public Library branches.
The Johnson County Health Department isn’t planning any mass vaccination clinics for the flu this year, but is offering flu vaccines on a walk-in basis at the health department’s office each Wednesday, starting this week. The department’s flu vaccines are free with insurance or $20 without.
The health department also continues to offer COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots each weekday at Compass Park in Franklin.
It is safe to get both a COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time, if available.
Local pharmacies and primary care offices have both vaccines available, but vaccines are offered separately by the local health department.
The Indiana Department of Health is also offering vaccines and COVID-19 testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway again. The IMS site is open from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday until Oct. 30.
IF YOU GO
Flu shots will available at several Johnson County Public Library branches through Franciscan Health. Library branch clinics will be drive-thru, but the library services center clinic is walk-in.
The shot is free with health insurance or $15 without insurance. Franciscan Health accepts all major insurance companies, as well as Medicare and Medicaid.
Trafalgar branch
Where: 424 S Tower Dr, Trafalgar.
When: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11
Franklin branch
Where: 401 State St, Franklin.
When: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13
White River branch
Where: 1664 Library Blvd, Greenwood.
When: 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 20
Clark Pleasant branch
Where: 530 Tracy Rd #250, New Whiteland.
When: 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 26
Library Services Center
Where: 49 E Monroe St, Franklin.
When: Noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 27
