How Flu Shots Can Help in the Fight Against COVID

While we anxiously await the development and approval of a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19, there’s another health-sparing and lifesaving vaccine already available to nearly everyone over the age of 6 months.

In general, flu vaccines are on average 50% effective in preventing infection by the main strains of influenza virus expected to be circulating in the country in the coming flu season, usually November or December to April or May.

Since we already know that the antibodies people develop following a coronavirus infection seem to wane with time, there’s a good chance that any COVID vaccine will need to be administered repeatedly, perhaps annually, to provide adequate protection. Whether the weather is hot, cold, dry or wet, this coronavirus is highly infectious. But like the flu, it spreads readily from person to person and can be transmitted even before those infected know they are contagious.

Experts are currently most worried about a likely confluence this winter of a flu epidemic and a still-raging COVID-19 pandemic, which could easily overwhelm the medical care system and create anew a shortage of hospital beds and personal protective equipment. Pneumonia is a not-uncommon complication of the flu that could add to the burden of hospitalizations needed for people with a life-threatening coronavirus infection.

Even discounting an increased risk of COVID-19, the complications of flu can be serious. They include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and a worsening of chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and congestive heart failure. Others at increased risk of serious flu-related complications include people 65 and older, pregnant women and children younger than 5.

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