TUESDAY, Oct. 12, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Experts are warning that the upcoming flu season may very well be extreme as social distancing measures are relaxed throughout the United States, however a brand new survey finds that 6 in 10 Americans could delay or skip a flu shot.

However, it additionally discovered that 98% of those that received a flu shot final season do plan to get one once more this 12 months.

While 82% of the 1,000 grownup members of the net survey mentioned they’re considering extra about their well being resulting from COVID-19, solely 26% mentioned COVID-19 makes them extra more likely to get a flu shot this 12 months.

Hispanics have been extra more likely to say COVID-19 had an influence on their flu shot determination (57%) than non-Hispanics (38%), based on the ballot from the American Heart Association (AHA).

“If there has ever been a 12 months to prioritize getting your flu shot initially of the season, that is it,” AHA President Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones mentioned in an affiliation information launch. “The flu can be again this 12 months, and getting the flu vaccine as quickly as doable will supply probably the most safety for you and your family members.

“The flu virus goes to have a neater time spreading this 12 months with extra individuals out and about at college, church, sporting occasions and so forth. It’s extremely vital so that you can get the flu vaccine this 12 months and be sure to and your family members are protected,” mentioned Lloyd-Jones, chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

Getting the flu vaccination will assist forestall a “twindemic” and decrease your danger of dealing with a one-two punch of extreme flu and extreme COVID-19 collectively or back-to-back, he famous.

“We suggest the flu shot for primarily everybody and notably individuals who is likely to be weak as a result of they’ve power well being circumstances — issues like diabetes, hypertension or weight problems — in addition to people who find themselves more likely to be extra-exposed, like well being care employees and people who find themselves working in an important front-line job the place they arrive into contact with numerous completely different individuals,” Lloyd-Jones mentioned.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting a flu shot by Oct. 31 for the very best seasonal safety, and recommends the influenza vaccine for everybody 6 months of age and older, with just a few exceptions.

More info

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has extra on the flu shot.

SOURCE: American Heart Association, information launch, Oct. 12, 2021

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