{"id":16024,"date":"2020-10-07T15:44:10","date_gmt":"2020-10-07T19:44:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/?p=16024"},"modified":"2025-01-15T14:04:46","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T19:04:46","slug":"how-to-get-the-flu-shot-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/blog\/how-to-get-the-flu-shot-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get the flu shot during COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

Usually, the seasonal flu is the most of our health worries come fall and wintertime. This year is different. It\u2019s more important than ever that Canadians get their flu shot. But where should you go for a flu shot if you\u2019re working from home?<\/span><\/p>\n

The flu shot is a vaccine that\u2019s redeveloped every year to protect against different variations of influenza, which are called strains. Scientists predict which strains will be the most common during the upcoming flu season, and include them in the vaccine that\u2019s administered to the public. Don\u2019t worry \u2014 the flu shot only contains dead or weak samples of each strain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many employers set up temporary flu shot clinics at their offices. That is, of course, when offices are open. With many people still working from home, they\u2019ll have to find other ways to get the flu shot this year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is getting a flu shot important?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The flu is serious business. It can put you on the sidelines for weeks recovering, and lead to severe medical complications. In Canada, the seasonal flu <\/span>is responsible for approximately<\/span><\/a> 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths each year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you sail through recovery just fine, getting the flu shot is still important for protecting people who are at higher risk for complications. This group includes senior citizens, those with underlying health conditions, young children, and pregnant women. When you get the flu shot, you\u2019re at lower risk of spreading the flu.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t an ordinary year for the flu due to COVID-19. Experts say that it\u2019s doubly important to get the flu shot this year. By getting the flu shot, you\u2019ll be able to discern whether illness symptoms that pop up are related to the seasonal flu or COVID-19. If you\u2019ve already had the flu shot, any onset of fever and dry cough are more likely to signal COVID-19.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the strain on our healthcare system, which we should always keep in mind. If there\u2019s another spike in COVID-19 cases, we\u2019ll need to ensure there are enough empty hospital beds to accommodate new patients. If we\u2019re also dealing with a heavy flu season at that time, we run the risk of overrunning our hospitals.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s even more worrying, <\/span>there have been cases<\/span><\/a> of patients getting the seasonal flu and COVID-19 at the same time. The common theme with COVID-19 is uncertainty. We don\u2019t know what to expect when people get both diseases. It\u2019s better not to experiment with your health, so get your flu shot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Where can you get the flu shot during COVID-19?<\/span><\/h2>\n