Health officials around the region are already ramping up for a flu season that could collide with a second wave of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Public health leaders say it is possible to be infected with both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. This is why getting a flu shot is even more important this year, they say.
“They both are upper respiratory, they are both viral and it would very concerning to have those two illnesses on top of each other. Your lungs would have a very hard time clearing two infections at the same time,” said Kate Ott, deputy director of public health for Ontario County.
Most doctor’s offices will be getting their supply of the flu vaccine in the coming weeks. In October, Ontario County will have a drive-thru flu shot clinic for employees.
They will use this effort as a test run for when the COVID-19 vaccine is available.
“I think what a lot of people don’t realize is that we practice these things a lot. We drill large events. Pandemics have never not been on our radar,” added Ott.
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