Missoula Health Nurse Encourages Flu and COVID Vaccinations
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - As fall deepens, so does the danger of getting the flu and the ever present COVID-19 virus, so on Friday I spoke with Erika Tracey, Public Health Nurse and Immunization Clinic Nurse Coordinator at Missoula Public Health about getting vaccinated against flu and COVID.
“We are in the middle of flu vaccination season,” began Tracey. “We have new flu vaccines. They are a little bit different than the previous years. So last year's flu vaccine was a quadrivalent, which targeted four different influenza strains, and this year's is a trivalent, which means it protects against three influenza strains, two a strains and 1b strain.”
This Year's Flu Vaccine Differs from Those Given in Past Tears
Everyone knows by now the importance of getting your flu vaccination updated, but Tracey further explains.
“We want to make sure that everyone is getting their flu vaccine because it reduces the risk of getting the influenza virus, which causes very serious illness,” she said. “As we can see, the flu viruses change every year, and the immunity from the vaccine can wane over time, so that's why we definitely want people to stay up to date every fall to get their flu vaccine.”
Tracey said getting a flu shot not only protects yourself but others also.
Tracey Said Getting the Updated Vaccine Helps Both You and Others
“Getting these vaccines helps prevent the spread of flu so it reduces the number of days missed from school or work from being sick, and it also helps protect vulnerable populations, like newborn babies, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems from getting very sick and potentially ending up hospitalized,” she said.
Tracey Said People Can Get Their Flu and COVID Vaccinations Together
Tracey looked back on the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraged our listeners and website readers to get their vaccinations updated.
“As with any illness, flu, a common cold, and COVID, of course, we want to make sure that we reduce the spread so we don't end up in another pandemic situation like we did just a few years ago. So we want people to stay home when they are sick, whatever they're sick with so that they these contagious diseases don't spread to others. They don't miss school; they don't miss work or worse.”
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Tracey said anyone can get their flu and COVID vaccinations updated at Missoula Public Health on West Alder, or at many pharmacies throughout the area.