{"id":6357,"date":"2021-09-14T15:40:34","date_gmt":"2021-09-14T15:40:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/wellness\/?p=6357"},"modified":"2021-11-10T18:34:53","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T18:34:53","slug":"get-the-shot-not-the-flu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/wellness\/blog\/get-the-shot-not-the-flu\/","title":{"rendered":"Get the Shot Not the Flu"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/wellness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2021\/09\/IllnessComparison-24.png” content_max_width=”100%” admin_label=”Intro Blurb” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Getting a flu shot this year is more important than ever as Public Health Experts predict an increase in upper respiratory illness this fall; meaning that they\u00a0<\/span>anticipate<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to see<\/span>\u00a0more\u00a0<\/span>influenza, strep throat, colds, and other ear, nose, and throat infections.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Why? Blurb” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Why is it important to get a flu shot this year?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Getting the flu shot will help you differentiate between illnesses if you happen to fall ill this fall. COVID-19 and the flu share some similarities in symptoms. Knowing that you\u00a0have received the flu shot this year can help you and medical professionals\u00a0determine\u00a0if it is COVID-19 or not.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last year, there was essentially no flu season as everyone followed COVID-19 precautions which aided in fighting against the influenza virus too. However, I remember back to pre-pandemic college days during flu season where sometimes half of my classmates were either coughing and sneezing all over our shared spaces and were coming to classes with fevers spreading their germs to everyone else. Eventually, nearly everyone in the class had to miss a few days to recover from their illness.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Flu Shot & COVID Vax” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Flu Shots & COVID-19 Vaccines<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Did you know that you can get your flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?\u00a0Previous\u00a0COVID-19 vaccine guidance recommended of waiting\u00a014 days\u00a0between administration of other vaccines as a precaution.\u00a0<\/span>The\u00a0CDC\u00a0now\u00a0states\u00a0that\u00a0the COVID-19 vaccine can be administered without regard to the timing of other vaccines<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0This is because they have been able to collect enough data\u00a0regarding\u00a0the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and\u00a0received\u00a0FDA\u00a0approval\u00a0and authorization.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What happens if I receive both vaccines at the same time? The CDC suggests if you do get both at the same time, that they should be administered in separate sites; such as one in each arm or in different locations on your arm.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Side Effects” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Side\u00a0Effects from the\u00a0Flu\u00a0Shot<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

With every vaccine comes potential side effects.\u00a0<\/span>It is possible to experience some mild side effects from the flu vaccine<\/span><\/a>. These side effects typically last 1-2 days after the shot:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n