COVID-19 Public Health

Flu vaccination more important during pandemic

New City-sponsored outdoor flu clinic opens Tuesday

Published:

November 13, 2020

Last Updated:

November 22, 2022

Should a seasonal flu make you sick, it can also make you more susceptible to a separate, untreatable respiratory illness: COVID-19. Get a flu vaccination.

A dual infection of the flu and COVID-19, two dangerous respiratory illnesses, may increase your risk of becoming severely ill and needing hospitalization.

Many symptoms for both are the same, though people will not suffer all or each of the following: fever or chills; cough; sore throat; muscle or body ache; headache, and fatigue.

Those who get the flu this year may need to get a COVID-19 test and isolate themselves at home, away from the rest of their household while awaiting results. With no proven COVID-19 treatment nor vaccine, flu vaccination is the only way to guard against a dangerous concurrent infection.

Getting a flu shot is easy: you can get the vaccine through your health care provider or many pharmacies. You can also get vaccinated at a new City-sponsored outdoor flu shot kiosk in West Berkeley. For those without insurance, vaccines are also available by appointment at the City's Public Health Clinic while supplies last.

Getting vaccinated protects vulnerable community members

Public health officials every year recommend that everyone 6 months or older get a seasonal flu vaccine, a safe, effective way to protect yourself against the flu. The illness kills tens of thousands and hospitalizes hundreds of thousands of Americans each year even as the flu vaccine and proven treatments save many lives.

By getting vaccinated, you not only protect yourself from the flu, you reduce the chance that you will pass it on to others - especially those who may be at higher risk. Those at greatest risk from the flu are:

Adults 65 and older
People with chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes
Pregnant individuals
Children under five years of age, especially those under 2 years old

Older adults, those with underlying health conditions, and pregnant individuals are also more susceptible to severe illness from COVID-19.

With hospital resources already strained from the pandemic, it is especially important this year that we all take every precaution available to avoid increasing the burden on the health care system.

Get vaccinated at new flu clinic

Anyone can get a flu vaccine at a new flu shot kiosk in West Berkeley, sponsored by Berkeley Public Health and operated by our COVID-19 testing partner Curative. This outdoor, accessible location offers vaccinations by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting November 17.

Curative flu kiosk, 1900 6th Street
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30am-6pm
Open to anyone, appointments required
Sign up at flu.curative.com

This service is available at no direct cost to community members. For those who have health insurance, Curative will bill your insurance. Community members, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, can also get vaccinated at the City of Berkeley Public Health Clinic on University.

Ann Chandler Public Health Center, 830 University
Mondays and Wednesdays, 9am-12pm
Flu shots for community meetings 3 years of age or older
By appointment only - call (510) 981-5350

For more locations that offer flu vaccines, visit vaccinefinder.org. Those who have health insurance are encouraged to check with their regular health care provider.

Get your shot soon. It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to become effective after you get the shot, so getting vaccinated before peak flu season begins in the Bay Area offers the best protection.

Everyday behaviors help slow the spread of disease

The same everyday healthy behaviors that prevent COVID-19 spread also reduce transmission of flu, the common cold, and other viruses. Everyone should continue to:

Wash your hands often with soap and water from at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow - not your hand
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Wear a mask when outside your home
Stay at least six feet away from people you don't live with

If you experience flu symptoms, such as a fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, and muscle pain, stay home and isolate yourself from others. Do not risk infecting those around you.