NoVA Leaders Encourage Flu Shots Amid Pandemic, Flu Double Threat

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Leaders from Northern Virginia localities came together Thursday morning to encourage residents to get the flu shot ahead of flu season in the fall and winter. Amid the potential double threat of flu season and the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, leaders want to keep pressure off hospitals as well as personal protective equipment and testing resources.

Local elected officials and leaders from Reston Hospital Center, Inova Health System and Virginia Hospital Center were on hand to discuss the importance reducing the spread of the flu and COVID-19 illness this fall and winter. Like COVID-19, the flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. But while a coronavirus vaccine is not yet ready for the public, seasonal flu vaccines become available annually to protect individuals against flu viruses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu shots are recommended for everyone aged six months or older. Although the vaccine isn't guaranteed to be 100 percent effective, studies have shown the vaccine has prevented some illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. Flu shots are recommended in September or October before the flu season reaches its peak.

To highlight the importance of the flu shot, Dr. J. Stephen Jones, president of the Inova Health System, said his own friend who was healthy and in his 60s died of the flu.

"I'm shocked that fewer than half of all people in our country get flu shots despite that very real, serious fact," said Jones. "Ruling out influenza is key not only for the disease itself. But as been mentioned, patients with COVID-19 have very similar overlapping symptoms. So every person who gets the flu unnecessarily has to be regarded as having potentially COVID-19 and has to go through unnecessary use of PPE, unnecessary use of testing in an era where we simply just can't take that.

Jeff McKay, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, called the efforts to promote the flu shot ahead of flu season a regional priority.

"Each year we know the flu causes the flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds and thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States," said McKay at a Thursday morning news conference. "It's unclear exactly what will happen this fall and winter as each flu season is distinctly different. COVID-19 and the flu simultaneously can place a tremendous burden on our health systems, cause too many additional illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths."

Phyllis Randall, chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, addressed communities of color, which she says have been hit harder by the pandemic. She wanted to dispel rumors among minority communities that getting flu shot will make you sicker.

"The truth is, coincidences happen, and different strains of flu exist. The fact is, the flu shot will protect you," said Randall. "And during this time of Covid, we do not want to overwhelm our hospitals, and the best way to protect yourself from the flu is to receive a flu shot in addition to continuing to do all the protective measures that the CDC and the Virginia health department have advocated to protect yourself from Covid."

COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases have been steady for Northern Virginia in recent months, according to Virginia Department of Health data. New cases in the northern region have been relatively steady since mid-June, with the latest 7-day average of daily cases being 224.1. At a peak, the average had been 685.3 on May 31. Current hospitalizations average 237.7, compared to the peak average of 774.3 on May 11.

David Tarter, mayor of the City of Falls Church, praised residents for following guidelines and maintaining one of the lower COVID-19 rates in Virginia despite the region's dense population. But he says flu season now needs to be taken into account.

"We thank our health care workers and first line responders who are on the front lines of this continuing battle. Most of all, we thank our citizens for following the guidelines set out by our medical professionals," said Tarter. "But we can't let our guard down. We're here today to urge all of our citizens to get the flu vaccine. We've got enough on our hands right now. Let's take flu out of the equation and have one less worry."

In Fairfax County, the health department is offering flu shots by appointment for children and adults at three district offices as well as increasing staffing for regularly scheduled clinics, and targeting at-risk elderly residents with flu shot clinics at five senior centers. Flu shots are also typically available at stores with pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens and select grocery stores. To find flu vaccinations in your area, visit vaccinefinder.org.

This article originally appeared on the Kingstowne-Rose Hill Patch