The Flu Vaccine Is as Important as Ever!

With the COVID-19 and influenza viruses circulating at the same time, the coming months may be more challenging than ever. Get your flu vaccine early, before the flu begins spreading in the community.

This year, you can get a flu vaccine at the same time and same place as the COVID-19 vaccine or the updated bivalent booster with no out-of-pocket cost to you. Availability of getting both flu and COVID-19 booster may vary by location.

Find a Flu Vaccination Site Near You

Why is it so important to get a flu vaccine this year?

• The flu vaccine has been updated since last year.
• It is possible to become sick with both the flu and COVID-19. Flu vaccines will not prevent COVID-19, but they will reduce your risk from seasonal flu infection and its potentially serious complications. 
• Flu vaccines prevent millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor visits each year. During 2019-2020, flu vaccination prevented an estimated 7.5 million influenza illnesses, 3.7 million influenza-associated medical visits, 105,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations and 6,300 influenza-associated deaths.
• Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalizations.
• Flu vaccination during pregnancy helps protect pregnant people from flu during and after pregnancy and helps protect their infants from flu in their first few months of life.
• Getting vaccinated may also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.

Who should get a flu vaccine?

All New Yorkers should get a flu vaccine, but especially:

• Children under 5
• Adults 65 and older
• Pregnant and postpartum individuals
• Nursing home residents and staff
• People with medical conditions like diabetes, asthma, HIV, kidney and heart disease
• All essential workers, especially health care workers

What is the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu and other respiratory illnesses?

• Get the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Routinely wash or sanitize your hands thoroughly.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Practice respiratory etiquette — cover your cough and sneezes.
• Wear a mask when appropriate, and make sure it covers your mouth and nose.
• If you feel ill, stay home, and reach out to your primary provider or talk to an emergency-trained virtual ExpressCare provider by visiting ExpressCare.nyc or calling 631-397-2273.
• Get a COVID-19 test — it is free, safe and confidential.

Can you receive the flu vaccine at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. You can receive the flu vaccine at the same time as all other vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Flu and COVID-19 — Know the Facts

INFLUENZA (FLU)                            

• A respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus.
• People can be contagious for seven days.
• Can be treated with FDA approved medicine that targets the flu virus.
• Can be prevented and made less severe with the flu vaccine.      

COVID-19

• A respiratory infection caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2.
• More contagious than the flu
• Symptoms can develop between 2-14 days.
• May cause multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. May cause long-term side effects, called “Long COVID,” which can include a range of symptoms that can last for weeks or months after infection.
• Can be treated with FDA approved or authorized medication.
• Can be prevented and made less severe with the COVID-19 vaccine.        

BOTH

• Contagious respiratory diseases spread between people who are in close contact with one another.
• Spread by large and small particles from coughing, sneezing or talking and inhaled into the lungs. People can be contagious, even without symptoms.
• Overlapping symptoms include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, sore throat, runny and stuffy nose, muscle pain, body aches, headache, vomiting or diarrhea.
• Severe complications may include pneumonia, respiratory distress, respiratory failure, sepsis and cardiac distress.
• Vaccination provides reduced risk of infection and severe illness.

Learn about Flu Vaccines
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Flu vaccines are safe, quick and available at no out-of-pocket cost to patients who are vaccinated at one of our dedicated vaccination locations. Get your flu vaccine today! Visit nychealthandhospitals.org or call 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692) to find a location near you.