The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) issued a new Call to Action report detailing the risks of co-infection with influenza (flu) and COVID-19 in adults with chronic health conditions, and the importance of flu vaccination during the 2020-2021 season.

The Fairfax County Health Department and Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) have joined forces to offer a series of free flu vaccination clinics at senior centers across the county.

The following insurances will be accepted and will bill your health plan: Aetna, America's PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN, HealthPartners, Medica, Medicare, PreferredOne, PrimeWest, South Country Health Care Alliance, and United Healthcare. These clinics are drive-thru only. "It is already well-documented that heart disease is a risk factor for severe flu-related illness, but with COVID-19, we are entering a risky and uncharted territory", said William B. Borden, MD, professor of medicine and health policy at George Washington University, representing the American College of Cardiology.

If members of the community can't make this event or don't wish to wait community members can get the flu vaccine by contacting their primary care physician, or it is typically available in pharmacies.

8 a.m. - 11 a.m.

1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

1301 N.W. Central Ave.

Baptist Health strongly supports the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendation that everyone six months of age and older should get the flu shot. "We know people spend more time indoors during the holidays, which are not too far away".

The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent flu and its complications.

If you do become sick with the flu, Levine said it is important to stay home and rest. Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way. Those who are over the age of 65 get a different kind of flu shot, a shot that's becoming tougher to find in some parts of the city. "The symptoms are so similar that they need to be extra aggressive in getting these shots this year to help eliminate flu as an option". It takes about two weeks for the antibodies from the vaccine to develop protection against infection. Jeanine Guidry, an assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University who studies health messaging on social media, said: "There is so much misinformation related to Covid and I really believe that that spills over" to the flu.

The flu has a tremendous impact on school attendance and on the families of school children. Severe and even fatal illness can be introduced by healthcare workers, visitors and newly admitted residents. An estimated 28% of school-aged children get influenza each year.