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To prepare for the severity of the 2022-23 flu season, physicians in St. Louis are looking to the continent down under. Australia is now emerging from its winter, during which the country experienced its worst flu season in years. For doctors here, that information is informing plans this fall as health care agencies prepare for what is expected to be a similarly severe season of influenza in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic led people to take more precautions than usual, like wearing masks and practicing social distancing, reducing exposure to the flu, too. But that also means resistance to the flu is now lower than usual.
That means that it’s especially important this year that people get vaccinated against the flu. Free flu shots are available throughout the region, including through Barnes-Jewish Hospital, which is providing complimentary seasonal flu vaccines for the 19th year. To protect against the flu, Dr. Steven Lawrence, a Washington University infectious disease specialist at Barnes-Jewish, offers advice for staying well this winter.
When should people get this year’s flu shot? A guideline I like to use is the flu seasons in St. Louis generally start around Halloween. They usually peak around the Super Bowl, and they are typically gone by Easter. Of course, there are always exceptions, but this is typically the period for most flu seasons. So ideally, the middle of September to the end of October is a good time to get your flu vaccine.
Who should get the flu shot? We recommend everybody six months or older get a flu shot every year, particularly people over age 65. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending for the first time that people 65 and over get one of these three flu vaccines: Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent, Fluad Quadrivalent, or Flublok Quadrivalent. These offer more protection than the standard flu vaccines.
Who else should be vaccinated against the flu? People with underlying severe heart and lung disease—even if they are under 65—people whose immune systems are severely compromised, and pregnant people because they are at increased risk for developing severe complications and even dying if infected by flu. The flu vaccine is proven to be safe during pregnancy. Additionally, when moms get vaccinated, they pass the antibodies from the flu shot to their babies. This protects the newborns for the first six months before they are old enough to get vaccinated themselves.
Do you recommend getting the omicron-specific COVID-19 booster at the same time as a flu shot? The flu shot and the COVID booster can be administered at the same visit. We just recommend different arms. Or they can be spread apart. Either way is okay. In general, the people at the highest risk for COVID are also at the highest risk for flu. Right now, the new COVID boosters are available for people 12 and over for the Pfizer version, and 18 and over for the Moderna version.
What are the differences in symptoms between COVID, the flu, and the common cold? This chart may help. A cold will have many nasal symptoms, sore throat, and either no fever or a low-grade fever. Sometimes, there will be a cough caused by post-nasal drip. However, they rarely cause severe disease. The flu is sudden, and it feels like you’ve been hit by a truck. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, everything hurting, and a headache. Cough and sore throat are less common. Flu may cause serious illness, particularly in those over 65, or those with heart and lung problems.
With COVID, most people now experience a wide range of mild symptoms—especially younger people or those who don’t have severe underlying health conditions. The most common symptoms are mild sore throats, headaches, and coughs. Fevers are less common. With omicron, there are lower rates of taste and smell loss. Still, many individuals can become very sick from COVID and need hospitalization, or even die. These people tend to be over 65 or with very severe underlying conditions. Since symptoms overlap for cold, flu, and COVID, we recommend getting tested. It can be lifesaving. Additionally, once the flu season is in full swing, many COVID testing places will also provide flu testing.
Where to get a flu shot
BJC is among the many health care providers offering free flu shots to St. Louisans this fall. To make an appointment, register through the BJC website.
BJC is also collaborating with the St. Louis Blues to provide free flu shots during the team’s preseason game on Tuesday, October 4. Vaccination will be available in the Enterprise Center concourse, so a game ticket is required for entry. No appointment is needed there.
For more options, use this map to find additional providers of free flu shots around the St. Louis region:
