We’re still fighting a pandemic, so it’s more important than ever to get a flu shot this season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated flu vaccine guidance recommending the annual flu vaccination for anyone 6 months and older. This year’s flu season is expected to coincide with continued circulation of COVID-19. Flu vaccinations will help to reduce prevalence of flu in our community and will help reduce symptoms of the flu that might be confused with symptoms associated with COVID-19. The flu vaccination has important benefits and can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.
Protecting yourself from the flu by getting the flu vaccine will support local hospitals by reducing outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit admissions caused by the flu and will help alleviate stress on the U.S. health care system and caregivers everywhere.
Updates and other information are available on the CDC’s influenza website. We encourage you to talk to your doctor or primary care provider if you have questions or concerns about getting vaccinated for the flu.
Get vaccinated
The CDC assessment shows that COVID-19 vaccines protect older adults against COVID-19-related hospitalizations. People 65+ who were fully vaccinated were 94% less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than their unvaccinated counterparts. People who were only partially vaccinated were 64% less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19. These data support that COVID-19 vaccines can significantly reduce COVID-19 hospitalizations among older adults; the risk for severe illness with COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk
To get the flu vaccine we recommend you visit your local pharmacy. To get vaccinated for COVID-19, you can call the Washington State Department of Health at 800-525-0127 or find a vaccination site near you.
We encourage everyone who is eligible and able to get vaccinated for the flu and for COVID-19 to do so.
Find a doctor
Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult with a doctor virtually, you have options. Swedish Virtual Care connects you face-to-face with a nurse practitioner who can review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow-up as needed. If you need to find a physician, caregiver or advanced care practitioner, you can use our provider directory.
Find out the latest updates on how we’re handling COVID-19.
Related resources
What you need to know about booster shots this fall
CDC, FDA recommend third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised patients
