NORFOLK, VA — This is the time of year when you might visit your doctor to get your annual flu shot. The Virginia Department of Health said if you haven't already scheduled an appointment, you should.
With three viruses circulating some medical professionals think this season could be rough. Local pharmacies said they're reminding patients that their covid booster shots received over the summer won't protect them from this season's flu and cold.
The Virginia Department of Health said there's some concern because this year the flu might be worse than in recent years. Medical experts said there's been a lot of people heading to urgent care with influenza-like illnesses in the last month. Many of those patients were as young as age 0 to 4 years old, contracting a common respiratory virus called R.S.V.
Medical experts report that, after looking at data used to track cases in emergency departments and urgent cares, R.S.V cases have quadrupled this year since September.
Local pharmacies like People's Pharmacy in Norfolk are trying to get ahead of it, offering COVID boosters and flu shots for patients ages 6 months and older. Doctors said that parents should be vigilant since viruses can team up and make someone with a weaker immune system very sick.
"It is possible to have flu and R.S.V at the same time," said Dr. Lisa Thanjan with the Virginia Department of Public Health. "Of course, if your child is at higher risk of having a more severe illness having both at the same time would make a more complicated situation so it is beneficial to get the flu shot for the season.
People's Pharmacy is open Monday through Friday, offering the COVID booster and flu shots. No appointment is necessary.
