It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it was the 2020-2021 Flu season. Last year’s Flu season went by like a blur it seemed. According to the CDC, the 2020-2021 Flu Season Summary, Flu activity caused dramatically less instances of illness, hospitalizations, and death since the agency  began collecting this data in 2005.

The report also indicated that there was an increase in the number of Flu vaccinations that were distributed. Why was the Flu season almost nonexistent? It is likely that the same infection prevention strategies that were used to fight COVID-19 also were effective against the Flu. But, what about this year?

Flu vaccination along with using the infection prevention strategies, hand washing, mask wearing when in crowds, and frequent hand washing will go a long way to keep Influenza activity down. Unfortunately, mask fatigue and over-vaccination hesitancy threatens to threaten these strategies' ability to be effective.

Is it important to get the Flu vaccine if a person has received the COVID-19 vaccine? Yes, it is. While the viruses are different, they both cause respiratory infections. The symptoms can also be confusing as they are very similar.

In addition to vaccination and the infection prevention strategies mentioned, i.e. 3W’s, don’t forget to give special attention to cleaning high-touch objects. High-touch objects are things such as door knobs, faucets, and light switches to name a few. Refrigerator and microwave handles are high-touch surfaces as well. Any object or surface that people use their hands on frequently should be on an increased cleaning schedule.

With special attention using the techniques we have discussed, the 2021-2022 Flu season can go down in history as one with decreased activity as well. What will your defense be?