What Will Flu Season Look Like In Greenwich This Year?

GREENWICH, CT — Flu season last year was somewhat absent, as the country largely adhered to masking and social distancing guidelines due to COVID-19. So what will this year's flu season bring?

Dr. Richard Martinello, medical director of Infection Prevention with Yale New Haven Health, said influenza is "predictably unpredictable." He noted that scientists and doctors often look to expert opinion and the experience during the southern hemisphere's winter which coincides with the northern hemisphere's summer.

"There is concern that we may have a more severe year since there was nearly no influenza circulating this past year, the community has less immunity to influenza than they would normally have," Martinello said, adding that high vaccination rates certainly help. "In the southern hemisphere, Australia recently reported a second year with little influenza activity. So the bookends for what we may experience are about as wide as ever. We may see next to no flu as we did this past winter or it may be worse than average."

Town of Greenwich Health Director Caroline Baisley said regardless of what kind of flu season Greenwich gets, residents should recognize that masks and flu shots are the best way to protect oneself against getting sick.

"That was demonstrated hands down on COVID-19 circulation. That does not mean that you shouldn't get a flu shot. You should," she said. "Every year when you get a flu shot, your body builds up stamina and resiliency against some of the flu viruses that have circulated the year before that we are exposed to."

Baisley dispelled a myth that a person can be protected from the flu because of the COVID-19 vaccine, or vice versa. She said getting infected by both viruses is a dangerous combination.

The CDC has issued guidance stating that it's safe for an individual to get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine on the same day.

Baisley said residents should consult with their doctors first before getting a booster or initial COVID-19 vaccine, and a flu shot around the same time.

The Greenwich Department of Health is offering several flu shot clinics throughout October for the public:

Thursday, Oct, 7 -- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Greenwich Town Hall, 101 Field Point Road

Wednesday, Oct. 13 -- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, 90 Harding Road, Old Greenwich

Monday, Oct. 18 -- 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Greenwich Town Hall

Wednesday, Oct. 27 -- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Greenwich Town Hall

For more information on Greenwich flu shot clinics/insurance info click here.