Doctors are worried about falling vaccination rates among adults and children during the COVID-19 pandemic as flu season looms on the horizon.As many people avoid leaving home during the COVID-19 pandemic, rates for some pediatric and adult vaccinations have plummeted as much at 95%.
With only 47% of Americans opting to receive their flu shot last year, Dr. Brian Curtis, vice president of Clinical Speciality Services for OSF HealthCare in Peoria, said its a health care priority this fall.
"It's important every year [to get a flu vaccine.] However, this year will be even more important with COVID circulating in the community," Curtis said.
COVID-19 and influenza could pack a potent punch. But the U.S. doesn't have to take that double whammy on the chin. Curtis said the Southern Hemisphere had a relatively mild flu season during its winter after taking proper precautions.
"Our hope is that people adhere to social distancing, and masking, and hand hygiene, and then vaccination, so that we can experience the same thing here," he said.
Curtis said more people probably will get their flu vaccines through a local health department, pharmacy, or primary care provider, versus an employer. He said health care providers are taking extra precautions to keep both patients and employees safe.
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