Ask the Doctors: Flu shots especially important in COVID-19 era

Dear Doctors: I’m 23 years old and hardly ever get sick, not even a cold. I usually skip getting a flu shot, but my dad keeps telling my brother and me that it’s really important to get one this year. Can you explain why? Is it going to protect us against the coronavirus?

A. A flu shot won’t safeguard against the novel coronavirus. But it will add an important measure of protection during a particularly perilous flu season.

There can be a lot of overlap in symptoms between flu and COVID-19. Symptoms for each can include fever, chills, body aches, shortness of breath, sore throat, headache, cough, chest congestion, difficulty breathing and fatigue. And both can lead to pneumonia, hospitalization and even death.

Even when it’s not life-threatening, the flu guarantees a week or two of misery. A flu shot reduces the risk of becoming infected with the influenza virus or can mean milder symptoms and shorter illnesses than for those who go unvaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone at least 6 months old be vaccinated against the flu each year. Inactivated influenza vaccines are approved for children as young as 6 months. That’s important because children under 5, especially those younger than 2, are at high risk of developing serious complications from flu.

Most people get a standard flu shot. Adults 65 and older, whose immune systems have slowed down, are urged to get a higher-dose vaccine. For people with an egg allergy, there is an egg-free version.

Flu shots are free with most insurance and are often available at discounted rates at flu shot clinics. For locations, go online to vaccinefinder.org.

Dr. Eve Glazier is an internist and associate professor of medicine at UCLA Health. Dr. Elizabeth Ko is an internist and assistant professor of medicine at UCLA Health.