According to the CDC, in 2019 an estimated 35.5 million people came down with a form of the influenza virus, more commonly known as the flu. Of those, nearly 500,000 were hospitalized and nearly 35,000 passed away. This year, it is expected that at least a similar number of people will be affected by the influenza virus if not more due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Why Vaccinate?
Coming down with the flu decreases your overall immunity, which means you could become more susceptible to also contracting COVID-19 during the time you are ill and in recovery. Fewer flu infections and hospitalizations will reduce the impact on the healthcare system. Due to that added risk in 2020, Motivate strongly encourages all Motivate team members to receive a vaccination against the flu this year.
The CDC also recommends the flu vaccine for all individuals 6 months or older, and adjustments have been made to this year’s vaccine to prevent specific influenza viruses suspected to be in circulation this year. The best time to get the flu vaccine is September and October to allow for the most community immunity.
How to get vaccinated.
Flu shots are neither difficult to find nor expensive. Our health provider, United Healthcare, covers flu shots completely, meaning you can receive them for free at many locations nationwide.
If you do not have health insurance through Motivate or another provider, some examples of where you can find a free flu vaccine include pharmacies such as CVS or Walgreens, large retailers such as Target and Walmart, and storefront medical providers such as CityMD or CVS MinuteClinic.