Coloradans encouraged to receive flu, COVID-19 shots

(COLORADO) — It’s that time of the year again. UCHealth is reminding and encouraging Coloradans to receive their annual flu shot of the COVID-19 vaccine as fall and winter come nearer.

Fall and winter bring the respiratory virus season. Infectious disease experts encourage anybody six months or older to receive their vaccinations, which are available to patients at all UCHealth primary care clinics and effectively reduce the risk of severe infection, complications, and hospitalizations.

“A common misconception when it comes to timing your flu shot is to wait until later in the season,” said Dr. Michelle Barron, senior medical director of infection prevention and control at UCHealth. “Many people question if they should wait and see what will happen during the season, whether it will be an early season versus late season, but I encourage people not to wait and see.”

Influenza viruses are detected year-round, however, flu activity ramps up in late fall with cases rising in October, then peaking around the holidays in November and December. Flu activity decreases closer to April or May.

Dr. Barron said the flu can make an individual sick and debilitating. The flu can affect anybody, and the most vulnerable are young children and older adults.

“So, think about getting your flu shot to not only protect yourself, but protect those around you,” Dr. Barron said.

Doctors also expect to see cases of COVID-19 increase during the fall and winter as flu infections and hospitalizations rise. The new COVID-19 vaccine is now available in local pharmacies and is also recommended for those who are six months and older, people with underlying conditions, and those who were immunocompromised.

The newest vaccine targets the KP.2 strain of COVID-19, a descendant of the omicron variant.

“The new variant is much more efficient in terms of transmission. When you can transmit faster, more people will get infected and get sick,” said Dr. Barron. “Most people who had COVID-19 during the summer wave will tell you it knocked them down, at least for a couple of weeks.”

For those who were infected over the summer with COVID and think they are in the clear from getting sick again, antibodies from the illness only last 90 days.

“COVID-19 is now part of the repertoire of viruses we see every year in the fall and in the winter. We should just anticipate that we’re going to see the virus along with flu and other common cold viruses,” Dr. Barron said.

Click the link above to schedule your flu or COVID-19 shot.

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