Episode 23: COVID-19 and the Flu

Season 1, Episode 23,   Nov 05, 2021, 03:00 PM

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COVID-19, the flu, and vaccines

Q1: Flu season is here. Should we be concerned?

Last year’s flu season was very unusual. Throughout the United States, there was very low flu transmission. In Oregon, we had a record low for flu cases with only a handful of positive tests for flu out of thousands that were given. This was because we were staying physically distant, wearing masks and staying home when we could.

But this year, people are starting to change these habits. Some are wearing masks less often, eating in restaurants, going to movies and concerts, playing sports and gathering at each other’s homes. Most kids are back at school in person.

All these activities can increase the risk of flu transmission. In fact, the biggest driver of flu transmission is school-age children.

Q2: Oregon schools are supposed to still practice many precautions to protect children and staff from COVID-19. If they protect against COVID-19, won’t they also protect against the flu?

According to the CDC, COVID-19 is still more transmissible than the flu. But as our school-age children interact with people outside our household, the risks increase. We still need to protect each other outside of school. 

  • Black people had the highest rates of hospitalization and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission.
  • Black children under 5 were also more than twice as likely to be hospitalized than white children. 
So, we need to be vigilant about protecting our younger children who are still at home and not in school. We need to protect the adults in the household, too. 

Q3: Why are these disparities happening?

According to the CDC, part of the reason is the difference in rates of flu vaccination. During the 2018-2019 season, for example, about 75 percent of white children between 6 months and 4 years old received flu vaccines compared to 67 percent of Black children. Black people of most age groups also had lower rates of flu vaccination compared with white people.

But most important are the social determinants such as good food, adequate housing, education, safe neighborhoods, freedom from racism and other forms of discrimination, that support health and make it easier to access health care. For example, if you live an area where public transportation is difficult; you don’t have a car; you have no health insurance; you don’t know where to get a vaccine; or your work doesn’t give you time off to get a vaccine; then how can you get a flu vaccine, for yourself or the children you care about?

When people don’t have the same access to these things, their health suffers. This results in higher rates of chronic disease among people of color. For example, in looking at the federal Office of Minority Health’s data for 2018, non-Hispanic African American adults:

  • Were 40 percent more likely to have asthma than non-Hispanic whites.
  • Were 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites.
  • Are 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure, but less likely than non-Hispanic whites to have their blood pressure under control.
  • Are 60 percent more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to be diagnosed with diabetes by a physician.
During recent flu seasons, the CDC says that 9 out of 10 people hospitalized with flu had at least one underlying health condition. This is why getting an annual flu vaccine is especially important for people with certain chronic health conditions.

Q4: What can we do to close the health gaps in our community?

Could REACH fill this in? Could speak to local partners/events/strategies, etc. to promote health equity and community health.

Q5: Some people think flu and COVID-19 are the same, and that’s why there were so few flu cases last year—Because they were reported as COVID cases. Is that possible?

No. Both are contagious, and have some symptoms in common, but they are caused by different viruses. If your health care provider diagnosed you with flu, they would report a flu case for you. If they diagnosed you with COVID-19, they would report a COVID-19 case. COVID-19 cases are reported separately from all other disease reports.

Q6: What can we do to protect our community against the flu and COVID-19?

The good news is that there is a safe, effective vaccine to protect against flu, and it can be given to children as young as six months old. 

  • The Oregon Health Authority recommends everyone six months and older get an annual flu shot to keep you and your loved ones healthy.
  • Getting a flu shot is especially important for health care workers, people with chronic health conditions and those who care for them, older adults, pregnant women and children.
  • While getting a flu shot won’t protect you from COVID-19, it’s a safe and effective way to prevent the flu. It also helps essential workers stay healthy and it preserves medical resources for patients with COVID-19.
  • You can learn more about getting a flu vaccine at Flu.Oregon.gov.
To protect against COVID-19, be sure you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

  • If you have gotten a first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, but not the second dose, make a plan to get your second dose today.
  • If you are fully vaccinated but immunocompromised, be sure to get your third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least 28 days after your last COVID-19 vaccination.
  • If you are fully vaccinated and it has been more than 6 months since your last COVID-19 vaccination, find out if you need a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Many different groups can get a booster dose if they are at high risk due to where they live, where they work, their age, or underlying medical conditions. 
You can get the flu vaccine at the same time as the COVID vaccine. Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about scheduling your flu vaccine at the same time as you get the COVID-19 vaccine. 

You can learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and where to get the vaccine at GetVaccinated.Oregon.gov.

Also, keep practicing these good habits to help prevent the spread of both flu and COVID-19:

  • Wear a mask to prevent spreading germs to others.
  • Stay home when sick.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces often. 
Local vaccine events, DATE through DATE

Find more local vaccine clinics at multco.us/vaccineclinics.

Document accessibility: For individuals with disabilities or individuals who speak a language other than English, OHA can provide information in alternate formats such as translations, large print, or braille. Contact the Health Information Center at 1-971-673-2411, 711 TTY or COVID19.LanguageAccess@dhsoha.state.or.us.

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Episode 24: Pediatric Vaccinations and COVID-19 in Children
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