Health officials are pleased the influenza season hasn’t taken off yet, and they are asking residents to get vaccinated as soon as they can.
Newman Regional Health Infection Preventionist Ester Knoblock says COVID-19 protections, namely mask use, helped to limit flu spread the last two years.
Flu vaccines are plentiful now, whether at Newman Regional Health, CareArc or local pharmacies. Residents wanting to get a flu shot through the hospital are encouraged to schedule appointments with their providers.
The past two years have had fears of a flu-COVID “twindemic” which have not been realized to this point. The concerns is back again this fall and winter, both with the forecast of a heavy flu season and new COVID-19 variants being mentioned nationwide. Patients and visitors to Newman Regional Health will get the now-traditional COVID screening questions and will need to wear masks while at the hospital.
