Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever this year to protect yourself, and your family as it is likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both spread this fall and winter.
A flu vaccine can help reduce the overall impact of respiratory illnesses. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses 1
Vaccination of high-risk individuals is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness. Those at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and those 65 years and older.
Although the flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, they are caused by different viruses. Since these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be tough to tell the difference based on symptoms alone.
In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms tend to be more intense2. Those with a cold, may experience milder symptoms and are more likely to just have a runny or stuffy nose. Flu symptoms however can include fever, a sore throat, cough, runny nose, body aches, headaches and fatigue, to name a few.
Colds normally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia2, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations, whereas the flu can have very serious related complications.
The CDC recommends getting a flu vaccination in September or October but getting vaccinated anytime during the flu season can help protect you. Take time, get a flu vaccine.
1 www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/prevention.htm
2 https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/coldflu.htm
