ULLIN, Ill (WSIL) -- The Southern Seven Health Department is encouraging people to get a flu shot, especially essential workers and people with underlying medical conditions.
Southern Seven says there is still time to get a shot while "flu activity is low." Health experts say, getting vaccinated is always important for people with certain chronic conditions, but as the region battles an increase in COVID cases, they say it’s more important than ever to help reduce the burden on an already, overwhelmed medical system.
"For those essential workers getting the flu shot is very important, because once again it helps to reduce the burden on an overwhelmed medical system," explains Shawnna Rhine, S7HD Community Outreach Coordinator. "And when we're dealing with COVID-19, COVID-19 doesn't care if you have the flu, it doesn't care if you have an underlying health condition, the flu is the same way."
Getting the flu vaccine helps reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the illness and while it does not completely prevent the infection, it can help reduce the severity of the illness.
