Influenza Season Begins With Strained Critical Care Facilities and Staffing from COVID-19 – AustinTexas.gov

Austin, TexasAs the 2021-2022 Influenza season begins,Austin Public Health(APH)is callingforeveryone to get vaccinated for bothInfluenza(Flu)and COVID-19 to avoidfurther straininga health care systemalreadypushed beyond capacityby caring for patients withCOVIDinaddition tothosewithother illness and injuries.

Flu vaccinations are offered in many locations, including doctors offices, clinics, retail stores, pharmacies, health centers, and through many employers and schools. To find a location near you to get your Flu or COVID-19 vaccine, visitVaccineFinder.org.

Both vaccines for the Flu and COVID-19 can be administered at the same time. Currently, there is no combined vaccine.

You have two arms, get two shotsone for flu,and if you arent fully vaccinatedor need a third dose because youreimmunocompromised, one for COVID, said InterimAPHDirector AdrienneSturrup. If youre waiting forCOVIDboosters to be approved, itsstilla good time to get your flu vaccinationand help protect our community from another outbreak.

With very few exceptions, everyone aged six months and olderis recommended to getan annual fluvaccinationbefore the end ofOctoberbefore cases increase, but can still get the vaccine almost year-round.High-risk individualsare recommended to get the Flu vaccine as soon as possible. High-riskcategoriesinclude:

We cannot afford simultaneous outbreaks of Flu and COVID,said Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr.DesmarWalkes.Do not riskbecoming severely illand needing hospitalization. Get vaccinated, wear a mask and stay healthy.

Similar toCOVID-19, theFlu is a respiratory virusthatspreads through tiny aerosol droplets when people sneeze, cough, or talk. The same simple steps that offer protection from COVID-19 guard against contracting and spreading theFlu:

Wear a mask orcoughand sneeze into your elbow ortissue

Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth

Avoid others who are sick

Stay home if you are sick

Clean and disinfecthigh touchsurfaces and objects

WhileFluactivity is currentlylow,many children and young peopleare back inschoolandvulnerable to contracting thevirus. Symptoms include:

Headache

Severe fatigue

If you or a loved one hastrouble breathing, has bluish skin color, is not waking up or interacting,hassudden dizziness,hasconfusion, is severely or persistently vomiting, or improves but then gets worse, seek immediate medical attention to get a diagnosis.

Flu shots arealsoavailable atShots for Tots/Big Shots clinicsfor children who are uninsured or Medicaid recipients and for uninsured adults. The flu vaccine costs $25 for adults, $10 for children, and is free for children with Medicaid.No one will be denied services if they are unable to pay.Please call(512) 972-5520to make an appointment.

For more informationon theFlu and surveillance information, visitAustinTexas.gov/Flu.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccinations, visitAustinTexas.gov/covid19-vaccinesor call 3-1-1 or(512) 974-2000to schedule an appointment.

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Influenza Season Begins With Strained Critical Care Facilities and Staffing from COVID-19 - AustinTexas.gov