With the flu season coming up, there are a few things that Vessel Medical wants you to know. Since our world has been in the state of a pandemic for the past year and a half, our nation needs to prevent a pandemic-epidemic overlap at all costs. The influenza vaccine will be pertinent when navigating the 2021-2022 flu season.
It is known that the 2020-2021 flu season resulted in minimal hospitalization and a lower number of cases overall. This was due to the precaution taken in the form of social distancing, wearing masks, and overall hygiene. However, this year’s circumstances will be a little different. Many states have lifted their mask mandates within recent months, many Americans have resumed travel, in-person events have made a return, and schools and businesses are reopened. With that being said, the number of influenza cases are expected to reach normal heights, unlike last year. According to a ContaigonLive article, this year presents an opportunity for threats of respiratory viral outbreaks caused by influenza and the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant.
In preventative measures, this year’s flu vaccines will be the answer to protecting our nation’s health. The CDC reports that, “Vaccine manufacturers have projected that they will supply 188 to 200 million doses of influenza vaccine for the 2021-2022 season.” Vessel Medical is expected to begin distribution in August while the flu is transmitted year-round and peak flu season will take place in December through March like in recent years.
Although influenza and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, they are caused by different viruses. The only known way to protect against the flu, is to receive the influenza vaccination and continued hygiene. It is important to take action and get the influenza vaccination in order to prevent a major outbreak. Due to the uncertainty about the upcoming 2021-2022 flu season, Vessel Medical aims to express importance of the influenza vaccine so that our nation’s health is prioritized.
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