Mayo Clinic Minute: Flu during a pandemic

Flu cases were low in 2020. And health experts attribute that to the COVID-19 pandemic and the preventive measures put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Flu and COVID-19 are caused by respiratory viruses and have similar symptoms. And if you haven't been vaccinated for COVID-19 yet or need a third dose or a booster, you can get your flu shot and COVID-19 vaccination at the same time.

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Dr. Priya Sampathkumar: Most places, flu
starts circulating by November, December.

So it's recommended that everyone
complete their flu vaccine by October.

Jason Howland: Flu cases were low in 2020,

and health experts attribute that
to the COVID-19 pandemic

and the preventive measures put in place
to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Dr. PS: We're afraid that
in a lot of places,

masking ...

recommendations being relaxed,

that flu will spread more easily.

And the fact that no one had flu last year

means there's a lot more people
who are vulnerable this year.

JH: Flu and COVID-19
are caused by respiratory viruses

and have similar symptoms.

Dr. PS: It's very, very hard,
almost impossible to distinguish the two

just based on symptoms.

Some cases of COVID can be very mild,
present exactly like the flu.

Some cases of flu can be very severe,

and present like COVID.

So really, the only way to know for sure
when you have a respiratory illness

is to get tested.

JH: If you haven't been vaccinated
for COVID-19 yet,

or need a third dose or a booster,

you can get your flu shot
and COVID vaccination at the same time.

Dr. PS: It's perfectly safe
to get both at the same time.

JH: For the Mayo Clinic News Network,

I'm Jason Howland.