As many Phoenix schools transition to a form of in-person schooling, the AZDE recommended all Arizona children get their flu shot to combat another viral outbreak.
“Unique to seasonal influenza is the availability of a vaccine,” said Arizona Superintendent Kathy Hoffman in a statement.
“Vaccination against influenza has been a cornerstone of our effort to protect our communities against influenza; not only preventing infections but also making illness with flu less severe and preventing hospitalization and severe consequences.”
This flu season, more than ever, we must roll up our sleeves and vaccinate against the flu for our communities’ safety and well-being. @azedschools and @azdhs urge every Arizonan to vaccinate against the flu.https://t.co/aG1gd9RO5i
— Kathy Hoffman (@Supt_Hoffman) September 9, 2020
Along with Hoffman, the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Arizona Department of Education are asking all schools to encourage the vaccine and other protective measures.
The health department’s new “Roll Up Your Sleeve” campaign urges Arizonans to get their flu shot, especially as new COVID-19 cases continue to emerge.
“It’s not too early to get your influenza vaccine,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of AZDHS, in a statement. “Every flu season, our hospitalizations increase due to influenza. Getting your flu shot will help prevent hospitalizations from influenza, keeping more hospital beds open.”
To help Arizonans find where to get vaccinated, the health department recommends using the website VaccineFinder, which can help locate businesses in your area that are providing vaccines, including the flu shot.
There are 28 flu shot providers within a 5-mile-radius of downtown, according to the site. There are eight providers within two miles of the 85004 zip code.
While the flu shot will not protect you from COVID-19, receiving the annual vaccination will help your immune system to fight against the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older, with very rare exceptions, according to the CDC. The flu vaccine can be administered by shot or nasal spray, which are both effective.
Symptoms of the flu include fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, and stomach symptoms, according to the CDC. While there is no set “flu season” it is generally considered to be in fall and winter, with high activity December through February.
Common Flu Shot Misconceptions
You’ll Get the Flu: While the flu shot does contain the influenza virus, you cannot catch the flu from receiving the vaccine or nasal spray, according to the CDC. In the shot, the virus is either inactivated/killed or only contains a single protein of the virus. The nasal spray contains a weakened virus which is also unable to cause illness.
The Shot is Better: Any form of the vaccine is considered effective for fighting against the influenza virus, according to the CDC. Choosing between the shot or spray is just personal preference.
You Only Need it Once: The CDC recommends receiving the flu shot annually in order to receive “optimal” protection from the flu. In addition, since the flu virus changes often, vaccines are regularly adapted to be most effective.
Healthy People Don’t Need it: Everyone can benefit from being vaccinated, according to Harvard Medical School. While people with chronic illnesses benefit most, the CDC recommends everyone older than 6 months old to receive the flu shot. In fact, there are very few people who would be advised not to get a flu shot.
Contact Education Editor and reporter Hailey Rein at hrein@asu.edu or on Twitter @haileyrein17.
Hailey Rein is the Education Editor at Downtown Devil and a senior at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass communications. In addition, she is a digital producer at azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic. In her free time, she enjoys being with her dogs and watching a rom-com.
