Health experts urge residents to get flu shot

A panel of local health professionals warned that the region could be in for a difficult fall season this year as the coronavirus and influenza circulate simultaneously.

That’s why they are already urging people to put getting a flu shot at the top of their list.

“I’ve been practicing medicine for about 35 years, and I can’t remember a more important time than this for everyone to get a flu shot,” said Dr. Michael Baxter, the past president of the Berks Medical Society. “The vaccine is safe and effective in helping to prevent the flu, and it’s really a necessity with COVID-19 also in the com-

munity.”

Baxter was one of three health professionals who shared his perspective on the importance of getting a flu shot this season during a press event hosted by the county commissioners Wednesday afternoon.

Dr. Debra Powell, chief of section of infectious disease at Reading Hospital, warned that there is the potential for a perfect storm in the coming months with both viral illnesses going around in the colder months.

“The best thing people can do to prepare is get a flu shot this fall,” she said. “It would be most effective to get the vaccine about a month before the flu begins to circulate so that would mean getting a shot by the end of October. And it should help us decrease the number of cases of all respiratory diseases.”

Powell added that she continues to encourage residents towearmasks to help limit the spread of the coronavirus, to highlight the importance of following social distancing guidelines and to promote the benefits of avoiding crowds as much as possible. While people may be happy to see the county emerge out of the coronavirus shutdown, she stressed that the coronavirus is likely to continue circulating through the population until there is a vaccine.

Dr. Jeffrey Held, vice president of medical affairs for Penn State Health St. Joseph, said getting a flu vaccine is an important line of defense. It not only protects those who get it but also keeps the county’s health system from becoming overwhelmed.

“The flu can send some people to the hospital, so getting that vaccine will help ensure that the health system is prepared to deal with a potential surge of coronavirus cases this fall season,” he said.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported that there were a total of 3,226 flu associated hospitalizations and 102 flu associated deaths last season. The influenza virus starts circulating in the fall and peaks during the winter months.

Coronavirus versus influenza

Held said the overlap of symptoms from the coronavirus and the flu is such that it will be difficult for a health care provider to determine the difference without testing.

Both COVID and the flu can share a number of symptoms:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Muscle pain or body aches

• Headache

• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea.

The key difference is that many of those infected with COVID-19 do not feel sick or have any symptoms at all, but they can still transmit the coronavirus to other people. And, unlike the flu, COVID-19 can sometimes cause a person to suddenly lose their sense of smell or taste.

Held said because the diseases are so similar the availability of testing is going to be critical.

“The supply chain for testing has not been as robust as we would like but we do have the ability to do both, and in some cases when we feel there is a shortage, we may have to choose which test to give as we go,” he said.