According to the Minnesota Department of Health, while it is uncertain what might happen during the 2022-23 influenza season, relaxed COVID-19 mitigation measures may result in increased seasonal influenza virus circulation. Reduced population immunity due to lack of flu virus activity since March 2020 could result in an early and possibly severe flu season. Also, co-circulation of flu, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), and other respiratory viruses like RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) could place an additional burden on the health care system.
In anticipation of these possibilities, influenza vaccination of those aged 6 months and older continues to be particularly important this season. Vaccination of younger children not only protects them, but also elderly and vulnerable adults they encounter during the flu season. Influenza vaccination of children will also help to prevent co-infection of flu and COVID-19 and potentially severe illness.
Influenza vaccination prevents outpatient medical visits, hospitalizations, and respiratory and circulatory deaths each season in the United States despite an overall estimated vaccine effectiveness of 30-40%. Prevention and reduction in the severity of influenza illness and reduction of outpatient illnesses, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit admissions through influenza vaccination also could potentially alleviate stress on the continued burdened health care system due to COVID-19.
Current guidance indicates that COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered with other vaccines, including influenza vaccines. Providers should consult current COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and guidance for up-to-date information.
Don’t miss opportunities to vaccine for influenza. Employees, watch for information about the flu vaccination clinic on campus. Students, watch for information about a flu vaccination clinic yet this fall.
