LEWES, Del. - Local hospitals and pharmacies are ramping up to get people flu shots now, as we move closer to what health experts are calling a "twindemic," a combination of COVID-19 and the flu.
"September and October are the best times of year to get your flu vaccine because the body needs a couple of weeks to build up those proteins, those protective proteins which are the antibodies," says Kim Blanch, Community Services Manager at Beebe Population Health.
Beebe is offering free flu clinics in Sussex County starting September 21st through the end of November.
Beebe Flu Shot ClinicsBeebe Healthcare
"They're very safe environments. Individuals will fill out a consent form and will have a flu vaccine administered by our outreach team," said Blanch.
While COVID-19 and flu symptoms overlap, there are some distinctions. With COVID you could experience shortness of breath and loss of taste or smell. With the flu, you could experience body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sore throat. This is not a full list of symptoms, and Blanch says it is always best to check with your provider if you're unsure of what your symptoms might mean.
At Cape Pharmacy, they give about 200 vaccines ever year.
"The CDC is telling people its possible that COVID will increase and you want to make sure you're protected at least from the flu so you don't have a weakened system if you're exposed to COVID," said Pat Carroll-Grant, pharmacist and co-owner at Cape Pharmacy.
And as we head into flu season during a pandemic, "continuing all of those safety practices we've become very accustomed to with COVID-19 is just as important as decreasing the spread of the flu," said Blanch.
TidalHealth will also be holding three free drive-thru flu clinics in October:
at TidalHealth McCready Pavilion in Crisfield, Maryland from 8AM to Noon. at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Hobbs Road in Salisbury in partnership with the Delmarva Shorebirds from 8AM to 6PM. at TidalHealth Millsboro Pavilion on Route 113 in Millsboro from 8AM to Noon.