[5 MIN READ]
Key takeaways:
- Check out information from trusted sources that can help you prepare for the flu season in the midst of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
- Getting vaccinated for the flu and for COVID-19 offers the highest level of protection available against both diseases, especially if you were to contract them at the same time.
- Information about city, county and state COVID-19 testing sites.
We're in our third cold and flu season with COVID-19. With each new variant and record breaking infection rates, vaccination remains one of the primary ways we can protect ourselves, our families and our communities.
Experts continue to urge everyone who is eligible and able to get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu to keep your immune system in fighting order should you contract one or both of these diseases at the same time. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states it is safe to get both vaccines at once.
We’ve put together a handy list of resources to answer your questions and give you the knowledge you need to get through the upcoming flu season in good health.
What are your symptoms?
When seasonal illness sets in, it won't always be clear which infection you're dealing with. Check your symptoms against the chart below.
Vaccinations
Vaccines teach your body to recognize new diseases and prompt your immune system to fight off infection. They are a vital component of keeping you, your family and your community safe and healthy.
Flu shots
It’s easy to dismiss flu season and minimize its serious threat to your health. After all, it’s “just the flu,” right? Not even close.
Influenza is commonly called the flu. You may think it’s an unpleasant but relatively harmless illness that goes away if you consume enough chicken soup and Netflix. But it’s a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death in the most severe cases. And remember, if you’re fighting off the flu, your immune system will be less prepared to battle COVID-19 should you contract it. Here are some resources from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the flu and COVID-19 vaccines to help keep you safe and healthy. You can also check out these flu vaccine facts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
COVID-19 vaccine
If you are eligible and able to get vaccinated against COVID-19, you should do so. Use this simple locator tool to schedule your vaccine to protect yourself and others.
Learn more below about the vaccine’s safety and efficacy and guidelines for staying safe if you’re already vaccinated.
The CDC site ‘Key things to know about COVID-19 vaccines’ outlines what we know and what we’re still learning about vaccines, their safety and how effective they are at preventing infection. You can also get answers about a wide range of vaccine-related topics, including how to prepare for your vaccine, effectiveness, myths and facts and guidance for staying safe if you’re already vaccinated.
#DYK that you can get vaccinated for both #COVID19 and the #flu on the same day? @snoqualmie discusses how to prevent a double infection of COVID-19 and influenza, also known as "flurona."https://t.co/XOFXWjzG0R
— Swedish (@Swedish) January 11, 2022
FDA authorization
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) site ‘COVID-19 vaccines’ gives you the lowdown on authorization with news, updates, podcasts and online videos. You can also learn more about the path the vaccines are taking toward authorization in our blog, FDA formally approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
You can learn more about the boosters, eligibility and availability in our blog post, COVID-19 vaccines: FDA approval, boosters and third dose for immunocompromised.
Protection for kids, parents-to-be and high-risk groups
Trying to navigate a pandemic and flu season while juggling the needs of your household or managing a challenging health condition can be stressful and overwhelming at times. These resources can point you in the right direction to get the support you need.
Vaccines for kids
- At its website, the CDC offers tips to protect families with vaccinated and unvaccinated members.
- COVID-19 safety: Swedish experts weigh in on kids and COVID-19 vaccines with answers to your questions about the COVID vaccine for kids and advice on keeping kids safe at school during COVID-19. In October, the FDA authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.
- Flu safety: According to the Academy of Pediatrics, all children who are healthy and 6 months of age or older should be vaccinated against the flu especially with the return of in-class learning. The flu shot bolsters the immune system to help your child fight off the flu and any other threats to their health.
Vaccines for pregnant women
- COVID-19 safety: The CDC site ‘COVID-19 vaccines while pregnant or breastfeeding’ gives a helpful overview for people who are concerned about the effects of the vaccine on their unborn or nursing infant. Additionally, our team weighs in on pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccination as well as the pandemic’s impact on pregnancy, delivery and new parenthood.
- Flu safety: People who get a flu shot while pregnant protect themselves against flu-related respiratory illness and reduce their chance of hospitalization from flu complications by 40%. Their babies also receive protection for the first several months after birth. Here, the CDC offers three facts about flu vaccination, treatment and pregnancy.
Vaccines for high-risk groups
Certain groups are at higher risk of complications from the flu and COVID-19 flu according to the CDC. Without a flu shot or COVID-19 vaccine, people over the age of 65 or with underlying conditions who get infected are more likely to experience more severe symptoms that present a serious threat to their health. See the below vaccine information and resources for:
- People with asthma: Flu | COVID-19
- People living with HIV/AIDS: Flu | COVID-19
- People over the age of 65: Flu | COVID-19 (and boosters)
- People with diabetes: Flu | COVID-19
- People with cancer or cancer survivors: Flu | COVID-19
- People with heart conditions: Flu | COVID-19
Where can I get vaccinated?
- Flu: check with your primary care provider to verify availability or visit your local pharmacy to get vaccinated.
- COVID-19: If you are eligible and able to get the vaccine, we encourage you to do so. Swedish is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to patients at three locations. The City of Seattle is offering vaccinations at several sites. You can also call the Washington State Department of Health at 800-525-0127.
Where can I get tested for COVID-19?
- If you feel sick and have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested right away, even if you're vaccinated. Early testing is important to help prevent COVID-19 from spreading to our friends, families and community. You should visit a local testing site, not a hospital emergency department, to get tested. Visit these sites for more information about COVID-19 testing, locations and guidance:
- King County COVID-19 testing locations and guidance
- City of Seattle COVID-19 testing
- Washington State Department of Health testing for COVID-19
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Find a doctor
Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult with a doctor or specialist 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
Keep kids healthy, safe with recommended vaccines
FDA and CDC endorse COVID-19 vaccine booster for all adults 18 and older (swedish.org)
CDC report shows COVID-19 vaccines may be given with flu vaccines
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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