This year’s flu season could be worse than usual with the coronavirus pandemic still circulating simultaneously. As coronavirus cases continue to rise in the U.S. and in Delaware, state officials argue it is now more important than ever to get a flu shot.
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is launching “Fight Flu DE,” an aggressive campaign to encourage Delawareans to get their flu shot this year. It’s partnering with health care, faith-based and community groups to reach as many people as possible through mass-media marketing and influencers.
Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health Karyl Rattay said catching one virus could leave one more susceptible to the other.
“So we know that the vaccine itself, the flu vaccine, isn’t going to prevent you from getting Covid but it will lower your risk for illness.”
Many signs of flu are similar to COVID-19 symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and body aches, chills and fatigue. And both viruses vary in degree.
“But the reality is, if you get either one of these infections, you may have an increased susceptibility to get the other. So this double whammy could be very problematic.”
Rattay notes while flu season is beginning - there are no confirmed flu cases in Delaware yet.
A list of community and DPH flu clinic sites can be found on flu.delaware.gov. The locations for flu vaccines can also be found by Googling "CDC flu finder" and entering a ZIP code.