Getting your flu shot is important, especially this year

The number of coronavirus cases in our country and the world continues to increase, and at the same time, we’re entering into flu season. This fall and winter it’s likely that both Covid-19 and the flu viruses will be spreading simultaneously, which means getting your flu shot this year is going to be more important than ever.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone ages six months and older get the flu shot. While the flu vaccine won’t protect against Covid-19, it will reduce your risk of illness, hospitalization and death from the flu.

Dr. John Lippmann, Family Medicine Primary Care Physician and North Country Hospital Medical Director for Primary Care, said vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of complications from the flu, including pregnant women, older adults, young children and people of any age who have chronic medical conditions.  

The flu can cause mild to severe illness. According to the CDC, the flu can make other medical problems, such as asthma or chronic heart disease, worse, and some people can develop complications including pneumonia, which can result in death.

In addition to people potentially getting both the flu and Covid-19 at once this year, health officials are worried that the flu, which is another respiratory illness, on top of the current pandemic could put a strain on the health care system.

“This year with Covid-19 it is especially important to reduce the amount of flu because of the extra strain it will make on our healthcare system,” said Dr. Michael Rousse, Chief Medical Officer at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital.

Although here in the Northeast Kingdom we haven’t experienced a surge in Covid-19 cases like in many other parts of the country, there is potential for that to happen. If we do see a rise, even a small number of hospital admissions for the flu could overwhelm our hospitals. You can help prevent that from happening by getting your flu shot.

Dr. Lippmann said it takes about two weeks to build up immunity after the flu shot and recommended getting vaccinated by the end of October. He said people can still benefit from getting the flu shot even after flu season starts.

“Getting an influenza vaccine, though not 100% effective, is the best way to prevent the misery of getting the flu and its complications,” he said.

To encourage people to get immunized against the flu, health systems in the Northeast Kingdom have been working over the last several weeks to offer safe, efficient access to the flu shot. In addition to being able to get the flu shot when you visit your doctor’s office, you can get immunized at one of the following flu clinics, many of which are drive-in:

Concord:

• Saturday, October 17, from 10 am – 12 noon. Sid’s Pantry, 173 School St, Concord, VT 05824.
• Friday, October 23, from 8 am – 12 noon. Concord Health Center, 201 E Main St, Concord, VT 05824. Drive-in flu clinic.

Danville (Drive-in flu clinic)

• Thursday, October 8, from 2 – 4:30 pm. Danville Health Center, 26 Cedar Ln, Danville, VT 05828.
• Thursday, October 15, from 2 – 4:30 pm. Danville Health Center, 26 Cedar Ln, Danville, VT 05828.
• Thursday, October 22, from 2 – 7 pm. Danville Health Center, 26 Cedar Ln, Danville, VT 05828.
• Thursday, October 29, from 2 – 4:30 pm. Danville Health Center, 26 Cedar Ln, Danville, VT 05828.

Derby (In-person, walk-ins welcome)

• Wednesday, October 7, from 3 – 7 pm. Hosted by North Country Hospital at the Derby Elks Club, 3736 US-5, Derby, VT 05829.
• Saturday, October 10, from 9 am – 12 noon. Hosted by North Country Hospital at the Derby Elks Club, 3736 US-5, Derby, VT 05829.

Hardwick (Drive-in flu clinic)

• Every Wednesday in October, from 8 am – 12 noon, and every Friday in October, from 1 pm – 4 pm. Hardwick Health Center, 4 Slapp Hill, Hardwick, VT 05843.

St. Johnsbury (Drive-in flu clinic by appointment only)

• From October 5 through November 13, every Monday and Friday from 8 am – 4:30 pm, and every Thursday from 1 – 4:30 pm. Hosted by Corner Medical (802-748-9501) and Kingdom Internal Medicine (802-748-7500), in the Eye Associates parking lot at 1290 Hospital Drive, St. Johnsbury VT 05819.
• Every Wednesday from October 5 through November 13, from 8 am – 4:30 pm. Hosted by St. Johnsbury Pediatrics (802-748-5131), in the Eye Associates parking lot at 1290 Hospital Drive, St. Johnsbury VT 05819.

We want to hear from you! Are there health topics or issues that you’d like to read about in an upcoming Vital Signs? Email us your suggestions at vitalsigns@nvrh.org, or mail them to NVRH, c/o Katie Bocchino, P.O. Box 905, St. Johnsbury, VT, 05819.