Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Sept 11, 2024 1:51:44 GMT
UCHealth calling on Coloradans to get vaccinated with flu, COVID cases expected to ramp up - Published Sept 10, 2024
By Lindsey Grewe
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - With fall rapidly approaching -- how is it already nearly mid-September? -- health experts are advising citizens to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated!
The flu shot is already available to all Coloradans 6 months and older at UCHealth primary clinics, the health care system said Tuesday, while the latest COVID vaccine can be found in local pharmacies.
“A common misconception when it comes to timing your flu shot is to wait until later in the season,” said Dr. Michelle Barron, senior medical director of infection prevention and control at UCHealth. “Many people question if they should wait and see what will happen during the season, whether it will be an early season versus late season, but I encourage people not to wait and see.”
And UCHealth says citizens can expect COVID to be a mainstay of the fall and winter season going forward.
“COVID-19 is now part of the repertoire of viruses we see every year in the fall and in the winter. We should just anticipate that we’re going to see the virus along with flu and other common cold viruses,” Barron said.
While both can happen year-round, the flu especially ramps up starting around October, peaking during the holiday season, and then finally dwindling in the spring. UCHealth says a similar rise in cases for COVID is likely.
“The flu virus can make you very sick and it can be debilitating. It affects healthy people and certainly the most vulnerable, young children and older adults. So, think about getting your flu shot to not only protect yourself, but protect those around you,” Barron said. “... The new [COVID] variant is much more efficient in terms of transmission. When you can transmit faster, more people will get infected and get sick. Most people who had COVID-19 during the summer wave will tell you it knocked them down, at least for a couple of weeks.”
To learn more about the upcoming respiratory virus season or to schedule a vaccine appointment, visit the UCHealth website.
By Lindsey Grewe
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - With fall rapidly approaching -- how is it already nearly mid-September? -- health experts are advising citizens to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated!
The flu shot is already available to all Coloradans 6 months and older at UCHealth primary clinics, the health care system said Tuesday, while the latest COVID vaccine can be found in local pharmacies.
“A common misconception when it comes to timing your flu shot is to wait until later in the season,” said Dr. Michelle Barron, senior medical director of infection prevention and control at UCHealth. “Many people question if they should wait and see what will happen during the season, whether it will be an early season versus late season, but I encourage people not to wait and see.”
And UCHealth says citizens can expect COVID to be a mainstay of the fall and winter season going forward.
“COVID-19 is now part of the repertoire of viruses we see every year in the fall and in the winter. We should just anticipate that we’re going to see the virus along with flu and other common cold viruses,” Barron said.
While both can happen year-round, the flu especially ramps up starting around October, peaking during the holiday season, and then finally dwindling in the spring. UCHealth says a similar rise in cases for COVID is likely.
“The flu virus can make you very sick and it can be debilitating. It affects healthy people and certainly the most vulnerable, young children and older adults. So, think about getting your flu shot to not only protect yourself, but protect those around you,” Barron said. “... The new [COVID] variant is much more efficient in terms of transmission. When you can transmit faster, more people will get infected and get sick. Most people who had COVID-19 during the summer wave will tell you it knocked them down, at least for a couple of weeks.”
To learn more about the upcoming respiratory virus season or to schedule a vaccine appointment, visit the UCHealth website.