Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD
Medical Advisory Board
Diane is a 57 year old housewife who has been treated for hypertension and elevated cholesterol for many years. She complained of a runny nose, nasal congestion, and a slight headache for a few days, and thought it was just a “common cold.” But her condition quickly deteriorated when she experienced extreme fatigue, loss of the sense of smell, and shortness of breath. She was hospitalized, and barely able to breathe with a diagnosis of COVID-19. Diane’s experience is a painful reminder that COVID-19 is a life threatening virus that will not go away.
“In 2023, more than 916,300 people were hospitalized due to COVID-19 and more than 75,500 people died from COVID-19. During the 2023-2024 flu season, more than 44,900 people are estimated to have died from flu complications,” according to the CDC.
If the above statistics don’t raise your eyebrows, perhaps the revelation that President Joe Biden in the middle of July of this year was diagnosed with COVID-19 might give you second thoughts. The lesson: Covid-19 will not go away, and we need to be on guard to protect ourselves and our families. Consider getting vaccinated. Are vaccinations perfect? Of course not. But the odds are in your favor to avoid serious illness.
Studies demonstrate the importance of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), and Flu vaccinations in reducing the number of hospitalizations and deaths. The viruses that cause Flu and COVID-19 are constantly mutating (changing), and updated versions of the vaccines are needed to effectively fight these diseases.
The preferred months to receive the vaccination are September or October. And with rare exceptions, the CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older receive the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19, and Flu vaccines. COVID-19 and flu vaccines can be administered at the same visit.
Vaccinations have proved to boost your immunity and your protection by putting a stop to major diseases, reducing the need for hospitalization, and preventing deaths from viruses such as COVID-19 and flu.
CDC Director Mandy Cohen, M. D. put it this way; “Our top recommendation for protecting yourself and your loved ones from respiratory illness is to get vaccinated, make a plan now for you and your family to get both updated flu and COVID vaccines this fall, ahead of the respiratory virus season.”
References
- CDC Recommends Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines for Fall/Winter Virus Season; June 27, 2024
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC.
- Seasonal Flu Vaccines | CDC.
This article is intended solely as a learning experience. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options.