What to Know This Flu Season
Flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. While it’s not possible to say what will happen, it’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter.
Protect yourself, your family, and your community against flu this fall and winter by getting a flu vaccine. Also follow other CDC recommendations to protect yourself from both flu and COVID-19.
Flu season is around the corner! Last year the flu virus hit us the hardest in February and March. Please protect yourself and your family this season with an annual flu vaccine for everyone in your family who is 6 months and older. While the timing of flu season is unpredictable, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and last as late as May. CDC recommends that people get vaccinated by the end of October, if possible. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection.
You have the power to protect your family against flu this season. Get yourself and your family a flu vaccine. Fight the Flu!
Learn more at: www.nfid.org/flu
Flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. You have the power to protect yourself and your family this season with these three actions to fight flu.
- Get a flu vaccine. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible. A yearly flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. As long a flu viruses are circulating, it is not too late to get vaccinated!
- Take everyday actions to stop the spread of germs. Wash your hands often with soap and water, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands often with soap and water. If you become sick, limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. If you get the flu, medicine, called antiviral drugs, can be used to treat flu illness. Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
Learn more at: www.nfid.org/flu
Immunizations
If you receive a letter notifying you that your child needs vaccines, please have this complete before returning to school in January 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our health and well-being beyond the damage caused by the virus, with profound implications across the healthcare system. In nearly every US community, elective surgeries have been postponed and routine care has been delayed. Amid closed healthcare settings and fears of contracting COVID-19, routine vaccination rates have declined significantly across all age groups, with demand plummeting as much as 95 percent for some vaccines. These declines are dangerous to public health, and we can no longer delay life-saving vaccines.
People of all ages, from newborn babies to older adults, need to stay up-to-date on recommended immunizations to help prevent serious diseases. Vaccines are one of the most important and effective public health tools available to prevent a variety of diseases across the lifespan. The campaign encourages everyone to talk to a healthcare professional to make sure they are up-to-date on all recommended vaccines.
Vaccines also help protect those around us—we all have an important role to play in keeping our communities as safe and healthy as possible during these challenging times.
PLEASE STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK.