The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Lake Health providing flu shots
Vaccine now available at several facilities
With flu season and the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic overlapping, Lake Health is encouraging individuals to get the influenza vaccine.
“Getting a flu shot is important because it is the most effective way to prevent influenza and reduces its severity for those who do get influenza,” said Dr. David Hutt, infectious disease specialist with Lake Health.
“The influenza vaccine helps protect your family and others around you and also protects the community from rapid spread.”
While everyone over the age of 6 months is recommended to receive the influenza vaccine, Hutt noted high-risk individuals — pregnant women, people with asthma, diabetes or other chronic conditions — remain at risk for serious complications from influenza.
Where to get the flu shot
This year’s influenza shot, which covers the four strains of influenza virus expected this season, can be administered from primary care physicians’ offices.
The vaccine is also available for $30 at any of the following Lake Health locations, with no appointment necessary:
• Mentor Urgent Care Center, 8655 Market St., weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Willowick Campus Urgent Care Center, 29804 Lake Shore Blvd., weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• TriPoint Medical Center Retail Pharmacy, 7590 Auburn Road, Concord Township (in the physician pavilion) and West Medical Center Retail Pharmacy, 36000 Euclid
Ave., Willoughby (in the main lobby), weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Individuals must be 5 years of age or older to receive the influenza vaccine at a Lake Health urgent care location and 7 years of age or older to receive the influenza vaccine at a Lake Health retail pharmacy location.
Influenza and COVID-19 share common symptoms
While caused by two different viruses, influenza and COVID-19 are both infectious respiratory illnesses, and both can pass from person to person through tiny droplets that are spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, Lake Health reports.
Common symptoms include fever, cough, body aches, fatigue and sometimes vomiting and/or diarrhea. COVID-19 frequently comes with shortness of breath, while influenza more frequently brings body aches and headaches. Loss of taste and smell also appears to be particularly prevalent in patients with COVID-19.
Where to receive care
According to Lake Health, in mild cases of COVID-19 or influenza, the general treatment plan remains the same:
• Stay home to avoid spreading the illness further.
• Call your doctor or seek virtual treatment through a telemedicine visit, such as Lake Health’s Online Quick Care.
• Providers might prescribe medication to help treat symptoms. Some cases of influenza can be treated with an antiviral medication bringing faster results — such treatment is not yet available for COVID-19.
• Providers offer information about when it’s safe to return to work or activities, and explain which symptoms might need more advanced treatment.
Both influenza and COVID-19 can be serious in some cases, requiring advanced care and possibly hospitalization. In an emergency, always call 911 or go to an emergency department.
In addition to the influenza vaccine, the spread of illness can be prevented by washing hands, wearing a mask, keeping 6 feet apart from others outside the household and staying home when sick.