In September 2020, the county health officer reminded residents to get a flu vaccine. She said people did not want to have two illnesses at once, flu and COVID-19, and that flu could be prevented with a vaccine while COVID-19 at that time could only be contained.
The health department received its first flu vaccine shipment that month and ordered more than 10,000 doses. Shots were free, except for the stronger high-dose vaccine given to people 65 and older. Because of COVID-19, staff gave shots with distancing and masks instead of visiting schools and businesses as in past years.
The health department also offered flu shots at its COVID-19 testing events. At a drive-thru testing event at Nitro High School on Monday, September 21, 2020, 324 people chose to get a flu shot. By late September, 1,047 people had received flu vaccines at testing events. See Drive-up COVID-19 testing at Bible Center Church and Get vaccinated.
This guidance is from September 2020. It is kept here as a record and is not current advice. Check current guidance from the CDC or your doctor.
Sources
- WV MetroNews: Health officials urge citizens to remember flu vaccine amid COVID-19 pandemic (September 13, 2020)
- WCHS Radio: Testing events continue; health officer highlights importance (September 21, 2020)
- WCHS Radio: Kanawha health department releases updated coronavirus testing numbers (September 29, 2020)