Riley County Health Department Stresses Importance of Flu Shots During COVID-19

Worn, leathery hands held one another in the examination room as Pat Tholen smiled at her husband through two masks. Despite Tholen being vaccinated for COVID-19, she knew they had to prepare for other issues with the winter months looming over the horizon.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, “flu season” lasts from October to March, and peaks from December to February. According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), visits to the hospital for influenza dropped almost 8 percentage points between the 2019-2020 and the 2020-2021 flu seasons. However, hospital visits have increased in early October 2021.

 

“I think because of the stay-at-home orders during 2020, most people stayed indoors during the majority of flu season,” Alice Massimi, the Riley County Health Department (RCHD) Public Information Officer said. “But now that businesses are starting to open up again, I believe that people will be more susceptible to the flu than they have before.”

 

Influenza's effect during COVID-19 in Kansas

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Influenza caused less than 1% of hospital visits during the 2020-2021 flu season, due to COVID-19. In contrast, influenza caused over 8% of hospital visits during the 2019-2020 flu season, according to KDHE.

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“We haven’t seen family in almost two years,” Pat Tholen, a 75-year-old resident said. “We’ve been living in total isolation, per our doctor’s orders.”

 

Tholen is immunocompromised and is more susceptible to the coronavirus disease. Her husband, Bob, is preparing for heart surgery and is unable to leave their apartment for fear of catching COVID-19, Tholen said.

 

“I believe that it’s more important to get the flu vaccine this year than in years prior,” Julie Gibbs, a RCHD Administrator said. “Especially with COVID-19, and the more concerning delta variant, I think it’s important to get the flu vaccine this year.”

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COVID-19 in Kansas

 

According to a report from RCHD on Nov. 10, there were 8,258 total positive COVID-19 cases in Riley County, and 135 active cases. According to KDHE, people aged 18-24 years make up 13.2% of COVID-19 cases in Kansas.

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“There are a lot of young adults out there doing things around other people and not wearing masks,” Tholen said. “And I am worried about people getting sick and not knowing if it’s COVID-19 or the flu.”

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Because of concerns about influenza and how it may affect COVID-19 case numbers, residents say they are more willing to get flu shots this year than in years prior.

 

“More people are getting the flu shot this year than ever before because they’re nervous about what flu season might bring,” Gibbs said. “People just want to protect themselves.”

 

The Riley County Health Department now offers flu vaccines by appointment.