Arizona prepares for overlap of flu season and coronavirus pandemic
Aug 21, 2020, 4:35 AM
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — Although it starts in October, plans are already underway in Arizona to take on this year’s flu season as the state still deals with the coronavirus.
“We want everybody that wants a flu shot to get a flu shot,” Gov. Doug Ducey said Thursday during a press conference.
He said funding from the federal coronavirus relief bill and other federal assistance programs will be used to make that possible.
The governor also said the availability of flu shots is all part of the state’s plan for this year’s flu season, but refrained from provide more details — saying right now the focus is still on COVID-19.
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The numbers for COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Arizona have been declining over the last few weeks.
Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, said that’s encouraging. But she still worries about having the flu season overlap with the coronavirus pandemic.
The flu season runs from October until May, with January through March being the hardest hit months.
“We are going to be launching a public service announcement campaign encouraging everyone to get vaccinate,” Christ said during Thursday’s press conference. “While it’s not 100% effective, it does significantly reduce hospitalization and complications.”
She said there will also be more locations where people can go get a flu shot with the goal to “make it as barrier-free and as accessible as possible” to get one.
She added the more people who get a flu shot, the fewer hospitalizations there will be. And that’ll help keep hospitals from being overwhelmed with both COVID-19 patients and those with the flu.
