HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - "Get your flu shot now!" That warning is coming from Sentara's Influenza Task Force so that your immune system is better prepared during this pandemic.
Every year, doctors urge people to get the vaccine, but Dr. Bogdan Neughebauer, an infectious disease specialist with Sentara, says this year it's really important.
"Absolutely, because we truly believe that being vaccinated for flu will provide a better chance to fight against the flu itself, but also in case you develop COVID. And one of our concerns is that with the flu season, there's a high possibility that you could get both viruses at the same time. You could have a double infection, which means that's going to put a heavy burden on your immune system to fight both infections at the same time," he said.
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Dr. Neughebauer adds that more people getting the vaccine hopefully will cut down on patients overwhelming our local healthcare systems.
Sentara's Influenze Task Force is launching a large campaign stressing the flu vaccine is available right now across Hampton Roads, and they will be conducting drive-thru flu shots at their hospitals.