With flu season expected to resurge, health officials urge vaccination this fall
Josh FarleyBREMERTON — Masking, social distancing and other widespread strategies aimed to keep COVID-19 from spreading had the side benefit of minimizing last winter's flu season.
But this year, with the resumption of school and large gatherings, public health officials say it's likely influenza will resurge.
"It’s another virus out there that could potentially make us sick," said Dr. Francis Mercado, the associate chief medical officer of primary care for Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, which runs St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale. "That’s why it’s so important to be protected from both the flu and COVID-19."
That protection is just now arriving in hospitals and pharmacies around the country: another vaccine to roll up sleeves for. And, just like COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, the vaccines for the flu have the benefit of lessening the severity of illness and hospitalization if you do still get sick after immunization.
"Our healthcare system is already at or above maximal capacity, and adding another vaccine-preventable disease like influenza on top of current high COVID caseloads is the last thing our healthcare system needs," said Dr. Gib Morrow of the Kitsap Public Health District, in urging residents to be vaccinated for both COVID-19 and the flu.
There are 53 people hospitalized in Kitsap County for COVID-19, up from just four people two months ago. That's nearly a third of all patient beds in the county, according to the most recent health district data.
The flu is a complicating factor in the pandemic. Like COVID-19, it's a respiratory illness, but it's caused by influenza viruses, whereas COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus scientifically known as SARS-CoV-2. Morrow points out that social distancing, ventilation and other tactics used against COVID-19, which is often airborne, worked even better to drive down the flu, which is transmitted by droplets.
But their symptoms, including fever and chills, can overlap. That's not only difficult for the patient but for medical professionals, Morrow said.
"Distinguishing flu from COVID-19 may present diagnostic challenges to providers and delay needed care and increase healthcare costs and strain," Morrow said.
Worse yet, you can have both COVID-19 and the flu at the same time.
Mercado of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health noted that it's important to get tested for COVID and the flu as soon as possible if you think you have either. There are medications for both that can lessen the severity of cases and risk of hospitalization.
More:Regeneron, effective in treating COVID-19, arrives in Kitsap County
Conversely, there is good news: if you're not yet vaccinated for COVID-19, it's safe to get it at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccine, health officials say.
For a list of places to book a a covid-19 vaccine appointment here.
Josh Farley is a reporter covering the military and health care for the Kitsap Sun. He can be reached at 360-792-9227, josh.farley@kitsapsun.com or on Twitter at @joshfarley.