Friday Five – National Influenza Vaccination Week
Follow and join the conversation with #Fightflu, #WhyIFightFlu and #FluView.
National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is an annual observance in December to remind everyone 6 months and older that there’s still time to get vaccinated against flu. This week’s Friday Five provides information about this year’s flu vaccine, how influenza, COVID-19 and colds compare, updates on the latest cases, and several good reasons why everyone should not throw away their shot, à la Hamilton.
Frequently Asked Influenza (Flu) Questions: 2021-2022 Season
It’s December 2021, almost two full years since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 hit the States. There are a lot of shots in arms happening and some people are questioning whether or not to get the flu vaccine. The short answer is YES, get your flu shot. However, if you require more information and specifics CDC offers a comprehensive FAQs guide covering the who, what when, where and why of flu vaccination.
Recent studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that, on average, the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of flu illness by 40% to 60%. See answers to the most frequently asked flu questions here: https://t.co/6QEOGGRcpM. pic.twitter.com/48G1CZvVYp
— Kaiser Permanente (@KPMidAtlantic) December 8, 2021
COVID vs Flu vs Cold
The best and most reliable way to know whether you have a cold, flu or COVID-19 viruse is to get tested. However, USA Today offers some hints for how to tell the difference as does the Medical New Today chart below.
@mnt has a good visual on the symptoms of #covid, #flu and #cold. With the cold weather among us, this would be a good time to know what you are looking for and stay #healthy #COVID19 #cold #flu #influenza pic.twitter.com/hXPzgN3FLo
— UNYTER Enterprises (@UnyterEnt) December 6, 2021
#FluView
FluView is a weekly influenza surveillance report prepared by the Influenza Division of the CDC. Get the latest updates on the number of cases, which states have high levels, number of deaths and more.
The latest CDC #FluView continues to show slow, steady increases in flu activity, mostly caused by influenza A(H3N2) viruses. Most of these infections have been in children & young adults aged 5 – 24, a group that commonly drives community flu spread: https://t.co/s9XLYIzBXD. pic.twitter.com/hppoCcOLGt
— CDC (@CDCgov) December 3, 2021
Flu Shots and Your Heart
This is National #Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW)
💉 we get it to #FightFlu
If you have 🫀 heart disease you are at risk for serious complications from the #flu. So get your vaccine if you haven’t already! Those with diabetes, lung disease & Kidney disease are also at ⬆️ risk pic.twitter.com/zP4tx7KANh
— Dr. Martha Gulati “Get Vaccinated Please” (@DrMarthaGulati) December 9, 2021
CDC Flu Fighters
Still not sure if you will get the flu vaccine? Maybe you should read a few #WhyIFightFlu anecdotes from people who have suffered great loss due to the illness. Every year people around the world work to study, track, and prevent flu. CDC profiles some of these flu fighters and the work they are doing to contribute to flu prevention in the U.S. and around the world!
Amber McCarthy discusses the pain of losing her 3-year-old daughter to #flu. She works with @famfightflu as a #FluFighter in her daughter’s memory.
Learn more: https://t.co/crcSNvOk3T
— CDC Flu (@CDCFlu) November 26, 2021
ICYMI – Our other Friday Fives and Blog posts from HCNR’s Nurse Lauren.
