Just in time for 2023-24 flu season, tips for flu readiness and avoiding respiratory illness and how Primary.Health empowers communities to GET READY.
The uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations, rollout of updated Coronavirus vaccines, and approach of flu season prompt us to get ready to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities from serious illness this fall and winter.
As a reminder, the American Public Health Association (APHA) has set aside September 19 as National Get Ready Day. Its goal is to prompt the public to prepare for all disasters and hazards, including pandemic flu, infectious disease, natural disasters, and other emergencies.
Make Primary.Health your partner in community health! GET READY to see how our tech-powered community clinics support localities and public health organizations with large-scale testing, vaccinations, and data reporting to keep people healthy.
2023-2024 influenza readiness
This article focuses on flu readiness and provides the following:
- Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the timing and types of flu vaccines for the 2023-2024 flu season
- Tips on avoiding flu and respiratory illness
- Advantages of Primary.Health community clinics and at-home testing in stopping the spread of infectious disease
CDC flu vaccine recommendations
Just because you got a flu shot last year doesn’t mean you’re protected this year. And remember: You can’t catch the flu from a flu shot.
Keep in mind this CDC guidance as you prepare for flu season:
- Routine annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or older. This includes people with egg allergy and those who are pregnant or might be pregnant.
- Most people need only one dose of influenza vaccine for the season.
- September or October is the ideal time to get vaccinated. However, you should still get vaccinated throughout the season as long as influenza viruses circulate.
- If you are moderately or severely ill, defer vaccination until you have recovered from the acute illness.
- Travelers who want to reduce risk for influenza should consider vaccination, preferably at least 2 weeks before departure.
- Adults aged 65 years and older should preferentially receive any of the following higher dose or adjuvanted influenza vaccines:
- Quadrivalent high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (HD-IIV4)
- Quadrivalent recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV4)
- Quadrivalent adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccine (aIIV4).
- Immunocompromised persons should receive an age-appropriate IIV4 or RIV4. Live attenuated vaccines like the LAIV4 should not be used.
How to avoid flu and respiratory illness
The flu is a virus that is spread by coughing, sneezing, and close contact. It can stay alive on a lot of surfaces.
The best way to avoid the flu is by getting your flu vaccination every year.
Avoid touching your face, nose, mouth and eyes throughout the day and wash your hands often.
Wash your hands with soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds, which is about how long it takes to sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice.
Primary.Health community vaccination clinics
Primary.Health partners with community-based organizations to power vaccination clinics that protect people from influenza, RSV, COVID-19, and other vaccine-preventable illnesses. Our technology platform streamlines all clinic tasks, from registration to consent to data reporting. GET READY to experience a healthier community with our easy, affordable diagnostic testing, vaccination, and preventative care services.
