[ad_1]
FRIDAY, Oct. 2, 2020 (HealthDay News)
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu shot this season, the American Medical Association (AMA) says.
With the coronavirus pandemic raging, a flu shot is more important than ever to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community from the flu.
“Routine vaccination is essential preventive care for children, adolescents and adults — including pregnant women — that should not be delayed because of the pandemic,” said AMA President Dr. Susan Bailey.
Experts have warned that a “twindemic” of flu and COVID-19 could overwhelm the health care system.
Just as wearing a mask helps prevent spread of the new coronavirus, getting a flu shot helps prevent people from getting sick and spreading flu to others.
Flu shots also shield people who can’t get vaccinated, including very young children, cancer patients and those with weakened immune systems. When immunization rates are high, these people are protected becausethey’reless likely to be exposed to the flu.
“This fall, an important reason to get a flu vaccine is to do your part to help conserve scarce medical resources as health care workers continue to fight COVID-19,” Bailey said in an AMA news release.
Flu activity increases in October and most often peaks between December and February. But it can last as late as May. Fall is the ideal time to get the flu vaccine, but it’s never too late.
“We need to realize that we are all interconnected, and during this pandemic, getting vaccinated is a step to protect our individual and collective health,” Bailey said.
The COVID-19 pandemic may affect when, where and how flu shots are given, according to the AMA. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an online tool to help patients find nearby places to get vaccinated.
— Robert Preidt
Copyright © 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
QUESTION
Which illness is known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection?
See Answer
References
SOURCE: American Medical Association, news release, Sept. 30, 2020
[ad_2]
Source link
- COVID case rates hit new high for England, study finds - April 7, 2022
- Govt’s focus on affordable healthcare ensured significant savings for poor, middle class: PM Modi - April 7, 2022
- SRL Diagnostics and Skye Air Mobility collaborate to transport pathology samples using drone logistics - April 6, 2022
- Healthineers sets up new production line of CT scanners in Bengaluru under PLI scheme - April 6, 2022
- Lupin inks licensing pact with Alvion to market drugs in Southeast Asia - April 6, 2022
- Yoga Mahotsav: Ayush Ministry to organise event to demonstrate common yoga on World Health Day - April 6, 2022
- LordsMed forays into the medtech space with launch of health ATMs ‘Lords Sehat’ - April 5, 2022
- ‘Friendly viruses’ can be the next big thing in the history of medical research and more - April 5, 2022
- No setback to Bharat Biotech even as WHO suspends Covaxin UN supply: Sources - April 4, 2022
- Govt panel recommends Serum’s Covovax dose for kids aged 12 and above - April 4, 2022