Flu Shots More Important Than Ever Amid Pandemic, Virtua Says

Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, medical officials have been concerned about what will happen in the fall when the pandemic meets the annual flu season.

Virtua Health is beginning preparations for just that scenario with flu shots for its employees this week. Flu shots for the entire community will follow after that, the health system said Monday morning.

In an effort to follow social distancing guidelines, many flu shots will be provided in tented, outdoor areas at Virtua sites across Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Virtua will offer flu shots to its primary care patients at its 27 primary care locations by mid-September. New patients must schedule a wellness visit and can receive a flu shot in conjunction with that appointment.

Most health insurance plans cover the full cost of the vaccine, so the shot is usually free to patients. Appointments are required. To schedule a flu shot, call 888-VIRTUA-3.

In addition, the Virtua Pediatric Mobile Services Program will soon provide free flu shots to children in underserved neighborhoods across Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties. This mobile clinic offers care-on-wheels year-round.

"We strongly recommend that everyone get a flu shot to ensure that, as a community, we are as protected as possible," said Dr. Martin Topiel head of infectious diseases and chief of infection prevention at Virtua Health.

Virtua officials fear the possibility that their facilities could become overwhelmed if there is a spike in both flu and coronavirus cases. There is also a chance of one person contracting both diseases, which would likely result in a more severe illness.

"This year is unique," Dr. Samuel Weiner said. "In the past, if you had the flu, you could rest for a few days, then go back to work or school once you started feeling better. The recommended self-isolation period is longer for COVID-19, so unless you get tested, you may have to stay home for an extended period."

Seeking to lead by example, Virtua is launching a months-long campaign to ensure its employees receive the flu vaccine by Oct. 20, according to the health system.

"As caregivers, we must protect ourselves and remain as healthy as possible in order to do our jobs," Topiel said. "COVID-19 is a big enough challenge on its own, and our frontline workers have already sacrificed so much. That is why I ask that everyone does their part to help ensure this flu season is as manageable as possible."

While symptoms of the flu and the coronavirus are similar, there are ways to tell them apart. The flu comes on quickly, usually with a high fever. The coronavirus tends to develop more gradually and usually brings a dry cough. It often causes a fever, but not always.

Both viruses can temporarily weaken the immune system, leaving patients more vulnerable to severe illness or secondary bacterial infections. This is especially true for older adults and people with chronic health conditions — groups that are more likely to be hospitalized due to the flu.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive a flu shot each year, ideally by the end of October. The vaccine offers the best defense against flu and its potentially serious consequences, and can reduce the spread of flu to others, health officials said.

Virtua reminds residents that the flu can spread easily among unvaccinated people. In recent years, fewer than half of adults got the flu shot, and the flu sickened millions of Americans, according to Virtua.

The CDC estimates that the flu caused 490,600 hospitalizations and 34,200 deaths during the 2018-19 influenza season.

"Unlike COVID-19, which is caused by a new strain of virus, scientists and researchers have studied influenza for many decades," Topiel said. "The medical community has ample data on the effectiveness — and importance — of the flu vaccine."

"Children are among the more vulnerable members of our society," Virtua Pediatric Mobile Program Director Maria Emerson said. "We want to remove the barriers that prevent children from receiving basic-but-vital care, so we bring flu shots to them at libraries, schools, community centers, and places of worship."

Click here to view the Virtua Pediatric Mobile Services monthly calendar or learn more at 609-304-0151.

Weiner recommends that patients catch up on other vaccines or health needs when they come in for their flu shot. For example, people 65 and older who have never had a pneumonia vaccine should receive one when they get their flu vaccine, he said.

See related: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know