{"id":112758,"date":"2020-09-21T12:20:48","date_gmt":"2020-09-21T16:20:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758//www.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758//news/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758//?p=112758"},"modified":"2025-06-17T13:50:48","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T17:50:48","slug":"importance-of-getting-a-flu-shot-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758///news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758//www.ucf.edu/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758//news/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758//importance-of-getting-a-flu-shot-during-covid-19/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758//","title":{"rendered":"Importance of Getting a Flu Shot during COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

With flu season on the horizon and COVID-19 still present in our society, it is critical to get your flu shot this year to help protect yourself and others and reduce the overall burden of respiratory illnesses on the healthcare system./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n

Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Flu and COVID-19 can both result in serious illness, including illness resulting in hospitalization or death./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n

/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u201cGetting vaccinated is not only for our individual health, but also for the health of our community and families,/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u201d says Assistant Professor Kai McKinstry, a Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences virus expert. /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u201cThe very young and the elderly are at most risk when it comes to the flu, so it/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u2019s important that we all do our part to help protect ourselves and these vulnerable populations./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u201d/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n

McKinstry says the flu is a problematic virus because it/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u2019s constantly changing, which is why we need to get a new vaccine every year. Backed by funding from the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health, he is working on developing a once-in-your-lifetime flu shot./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, get a yearly flu vaccine. According to the CDC, September and October are good times to get vaccinated, but be mindful that as long as flu viruses are circulating, you can still get vaccinated in January or later./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n

The flu vaccine cannot give you flu illness, as the vaccine is made with inactivated viruses which are not infectious, or with proteins from a flu virus. Common side effects may include soreness, redness and/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758//or swelling where the shot was given, a low-grade headache, fever, muscle aches, nausea and fatigue. These symptoms are mild and short-lasting./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n

/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u201cThe way any vaccine works is that it may take up to two weeks for your body to mount an immune response and generate the antibodies that are going to be protective,/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u201d McKinstry says. /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u201cSo if you have it early, it gives your body a chance for your body to build immunity, and that/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u2019s the name of the game./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u201d/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n

McKinstry says it/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u2019s anyone/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u2019s guess how COVID-19 will affect flu season. He is hopeful that reduced tourism in Central Florida /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u2014 which contributes to the spread of the flu /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u2014 and practices society has implemented such as physical distancing, face coverings and frequent hand washings could help curb the spread of the flu./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n

Still, he stresses the importance of getting vaccinated as another preventative measure we all should be taking this year./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n

Remember to armor up with a face covering before arriving for your flu shot. For more information regarding the flu and flu vaccine during the pandemic, visit the CDC/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/u2019s website./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n

Where to get your flu shot/news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n
– Student Health Services /news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n

Flu shots are covered by student health fees, so all UCF students with a valid student ID can receive their flu shot through Student Health Services, no proof of insurance necessary./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n

Faculty and staff are welcome to get vaccinated through Student Health Services. Your in-network insurance card must be on file so Student Health Services can bill your insurance, with charges filed as part of your preventative benefits coverage./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n

To get a flu shot, patients can request to be vaccinated as part of their scheduled in-person appointment, or via walk-up accessibility outside of the Health Center./news/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/112758/n