Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a predictor on the confluence of flu and coronavirus outbreaks this fall and winter.

Since COVID-19 and influenza viruses have a similar disease presentation, which both cause respiratory diseases, ranging from asymptomatic or mild to severe illness and death, it is difficult for ordinary people to distinguish. In order to have better preventive measures, influenza vaccines should be encouraged in the pandemic.

Vaccine residues are updated every year according to the prevailing strains. Therefore, it is necessary to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza every year. It is recommended to get vaccination at least two weeks before the beginning of the flu season, as immunity to influenza begins approximately 2 weeks after having the shot, so that there is sufficient protection during the flu season.

In order to protect yourself and those around you, please make sure to carry out annual influenza virus vaccination to minimize the possibility of spreading between companies and homes.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that quadrivalent vaccines to be used in the 2020-2021 influenza season (northern hemisphere virus) contain the following:
• A/ Guangdong-Maonan/SWL1536/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• A/ Hong Kong/2671/2019 (H3N2)-like virus;
• B/ Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus; and
• B Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.

Quality HealthCare now provides nasal spray quadrivalent influenza vaccine. This vaccine is an attenuated influenza vaccine, which contains a virus with weakened functions. The vaccine is sprayed in each nostril. Clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of nasal spray flu vaccine and injectable flu vaccine are similar. Some people or children who are afraid of pain and injections, nasal spray vaccine provides another option.