Health officials are urging Hoosiers to get flu vaccines

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INDIANAPOLIS — the Indiana Department of Health is encouraging Hoosiers to get vaccinated against influenza to help protect them from the contagious respiratory illness that sickens thousands of Hoosiers each year and claimed more than 130 lives in the 20192020 flu season.

“Getting a flu shot is more important than ever this year as we continue to battle the COVID19 pandemic,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D.,

FACOG. “Influenza is a respiratory illness that, along with COVID, could easily overwhelm the healthcare system if we see a large number of cases, so I urge every Hoosier who is eligible to get vaccinated.”

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone age 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year. Dr. Box said that because infants under 6 months can’t be vaccinated, it’s important that anyone in a household where a young baby lives or visits get a flu shot to protect the child. Healthcare workers also are urged to get a flu vaccine to reduce their risk of transmitting illness to their patients.

COVID-19 and influenza are both contagious respiratory illnesses that are spread primarily by respiratory droplets released when infected people cough, sneeze, talk, laugh or sing, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with the SARS-COV-2 virus, while the flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to confirm a diagnosis.

the measures recommended to prevent the spread of influenza are similar to those recommended for helping Hoosiers prevent the spread of coronavirus. they are as follows:

• Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.

• Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. this will help prevent you from spreading your illness to others.

• Cover your mouth and nose.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses are spread by cough, sneezing or unclean hands.

• Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

◦ Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives tips on hand washing and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers

◦ It’s a SNAP Toolkit: Handwashing Hand washing resources from the It’s a SNAP program, aimed at preventing school absenteeism by promoting clean hands; from the School Network for Absenteeism Prevention, a collaborative project of the CDC, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Cleaning Institute.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when people touch something that