Gov. John Bel Edwards and Louisiana Department of Health officials won their seasonal flu booster shots and updated COVID-19 shots today at the North Baton Rouge Clinic of Our Lady of the Lake. They suggested other Louisianans keep up with their vaccinations in the fall.
The new bivalent recall of COVID-19 provides opposite ions to the variants of the virus that are recently circulating. The flu vaccine provides more opposite ions to respiratory illnesses. to serious ailments that can lead to hospitalization.
Prior to the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, Louisiana had very active flu seasons in 2017 and 2018. During the 2017-2018 flu season, approximately 1300 people died after contracting the flu and another 18,000 people were hospitalized. During the 2018-19 flu season, LDH estimates that another 1,000 people died and another 14,000 people were hospitalized.
After two years of mild flu seasons due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts, such as mask wearing and social distancing, U. S. fitness officials are coming to terms with the death toll. The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, added LDH, are preparing for what may also be an active flu season. Some countries in the southern northern hemisphere, which would possibly be predictors of influenza activity in the northern hemisphere, are experiencing their most severe influenza season in five years.
The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)U. S. agencies estimate that the 2019-2020 season, a “normal” season, included 38 million more people with the flu nationwide. Health care providers gained 18 million visits due to the flu, and there were approximately 400,000 hospitalizations and 22,000 deaths from influenza.
Even an average flu season coupled with increased COVID-19 transmission this fall or winter can put pressure on Louisiana’s physical care system.
The CDC has bivalent formulations of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to use as a booster dose for singles at least two months after the number one vaccination or booster vaccination. These updated reinforcements are formulated to provide coverage against the original strain, while offering greater coverage against the two lines of the Omicron variant, BA. 4 and BA. 5, which represent more than 90% of the viruses circulating lately.
“Last Saturday, I was able to watch LSU and Southern play at Tiger Stadium with over 100,000 fans. I was reminded of how far I had come to get back to normal. But we want to not forget that COVID is still here, and lately we are coming out of our sixth and longest drive,” Governor Edwards said. “Every day we are still reporting hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID-19, and the most productive way to prevent you from serious illness is to stay up to date on your vaccinations. I also want to urge everyone to get a flu shot as we enter the community. ” flu season. Remember, it’s getting your COVID booster and flu shot at the same time, like I did today.
“As summer draws to a close, we celebrate the start of a new school year, the return of football season, and gatherings with family and friends over the holidays. To make the most of this season, we urge you to protect yourself and your loved ones by getting the latest COVID reminder and flu shot,” said LDH Secretary Dr. Courtney N. Phillips. continuous protection against the original strain of COVID while keeping you more protected against newer variants of almost all existing infections. The flu shot is also a must as we anticipate an active flu season. My 11-year-old son and I get our shots each year to stay healthy and to be able to fully participate in work, school, and recreational activities. In addition to reducing doctor visits and absences from work and school, getting a flu shot can relieve severe flu headaches that can lead to hospitalization and even death. We inspire Louisianans to get the updated COVID reminder and flu shot, so we can enjoy this time combined with smart health.
“As we enter the fall, we continue to descend from our sixth and longest COVID-19 surge and life in Louisiana is returning to normal. Our purpose is to continue like this,” said Dr. Joseph Kanter, LDH Public Health. Official. ” Unfortunately, COVID-19 will be with us for a while. And even an average flu season coupled with increased COVID-19 transmission can put pressure on our hospitals and their ability to provide care, and many experts expect the U. S. to provide care. U. S. countries have an above-average flu season. That’s why I’m getting my COVID-19 booster and my updated flu shot today, and I urge everyone who is eligible to make a plan today to do the same.
The flu has a massive effect on school attendance and on the families of school-age children. Twenty-eight percent of school-age children get the flu a year, and for both one and one and two hundred children, the flu accounts for 63 missed school days a year. In addition, out of one and both hundred children who get the flu, 25 members of the family circle will get the flu within 3 days.
Visit vacunas. gov to close vaccination sites for the new COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine. Louisianans who have questions about flu or COVID-19 vaccines and where can call 211.
Ideally, anyone six (6) months of age or older should get a flu shot until the end of October. they are encouraged to get a flu shot as soon as possible.
The CDC and LDH recommend that other people 12 years of age and older get 1 bivalent mRNA booster at least two months after finishing the number one series of two doses and any other boosters. This retreat replaces all previous withdrawal recommendations for this age group:
In addition to flu shots, there are other tactics to fight the flu: