With the pandemic ongoing, there has been a substantial rise in the number of people getting flu shots. Some people believe the shot will give them added protection against Covid-19. Many are getting a flu shot for the first time in ages, in order to avoid getting the flu itself. There have been 23.5 million people who have gotten the flu shot in the span of August 7 to October 2, compared to only 12.6 million receiving the flu shot during this time in 2019. 

 Healthcare workers are encouraging people to get the flu shot to stop the spread of flu cases. From October 1, 2019 to August 4, 2020, there were 39-56 million flu cases. They are doing this because there will be Covid cases as well, and they want people to be extra cautious. Healthcare workers also are trying to encourage the shot so there won’t be as many hospitalizations during this time. During that same time between October 1, 2019 to August 4, 2020 there were 740,000 hospitalizations. The vaccine for the flu is to ease many hospitalization numbers.  

Many places are doing walk-ins and drive-up appointments for people getting the flu shot. Clinics in Santa Barbara with flu shot appointments are Children’s Medical Clinic and Samsung Clinic. For drive-in flu shots in Santa Barbara there was one at San Marcos High School in October that needed no appointments. If you are interested in getting a flu shot, many pharmacies are still allowing walk-in appointments.

Scientists and doctors are currently trying to create a universal flu shot vaccine that will last through multiple seasons and different strains of the virus. There isn’t much information on it since they are just starting it, but they have seen some progress. Scientists started doing clinical trials, and are hoping to get it out soon. 

Through reading this article, I hope you understand why it is important to get a flu shot. With the Covid cases rising, it’s important for hospitalizations to stay down or at a steady rate. To avoid getting sick at all costs, it would be a good idea to take the extra precaution. 

Sources: ucsf.edu , fierce healthcare , nbc news

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