When are you going to get a Flu Shot?

[Puget]

Now you're making me feel guilty.

I've never gotten a flu shot.  I've also never gotten the flu.  Our on-campus flu-shot clinic was yesterday, and as per my usual practice, I didn't bother.

But I can get one at Walmart, CVS, or any one of a dozen other places if the guilts get the better of me.

Probably not.

I used to be like you, but I've come to understand that it is a public health duty -- even if you only get a mild case, you could spread it to others who are at risk for serious complications (just like COVID), and this year it is particularly important to try to keep the flu rate down so hospitals don't get overwhelmed.

It's a very thin needle, hardly hurts at all. Covered by all insurance. Just do it!

[Heathcliff]

Some places are hosting outdoors vaccine clinics due to Covid.  I got my shot in a drive-in tent while sitting in my car.

[AmLitHist]

I had to pick up a prescription at WalMart yesterday afternoon, so ALHS and I got our flu shots then.  Daughter #2 got hers at CVS Thursday morning (literally the first time she's left the house since mid-March).

[jimbogumbo]

Just completed the my vaccination marathon, adding the TDaP to flu, Shingrix and pneumonia done earlier this month.

I am now immune (jk).

[evil_physics_witchcraft]

Just got it today. Woo hoo!

[downer]

According to the CDC, 'Seasonal influenza activity in the United States remains lower than usual for this time of year." "Nationwide during week 49, 1.6% of patient visits reported through ILINet were due to ILI. This percentage is below the national baseline of 2.6%."

This is no surprise. Indeed, I wonder what the absolute numbers are, because I suspect that patient visits this year are a lot fewer than patient visits last year. I expect that the number of people getting their annual physical is also way down -- I haven't done mine yet.

There were dire warnings about the conjunction of COVID and flu back in early fall. Has anyone heard any follow up on this? Do we know any more?

[Parasaurolophus]

We tried a couple times, but they were out. We'll try again next week, but I think it's futile.

[Parasaurolophus]

We got ours yesterday, finally. The pharmacy was all out (they've all been out for months), save for a few doses they'd saved specifically for couples brooding.

[Caracal]

According to the CDC, 'Seasonal influenza activity in the United States remains lower than usual for this time of year." "Nationwide during week 49, 1.6% of patient visits reported through ILINet were due to ILI. This percentage is below the national baseline of 2.6%."

This is no surprise. Indeed, I wonder what the absolute numbers are, because I suspect that patient visits this year are a lot fewer than patient visits last year. I expect that the number of people getting their annual physical is also way down -- I haven't done mine yet.

There were dire warnings about the conjunction of COVID and flu back in early fall. Has anyone heard any follow up on this? Do we know any more?

Seems pretty clear that the distancing because of COVID has led to dramatically less flu. Covid is quite a bit more contagious than the flu, so it makes sense.