LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio — For months, we have all been taking extra precautions to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19. While health officials say that's still a big concern, they're also worried about the flu and how it could change the course of the pandemic.
“It definitely is possible to be infected with both flu and COVID-19. These viruses don't compete with each other, they're both transmitted person to person,” said Dr. Brian Kaminski, an emergency room doctor with ProMedica.
It can be hard to tell the difference between the flu and the COVID-19. Many symptoms are similar like a fever, cough and shortness of breath.
“Somebody experiencing the flu is going to have a hard time telling whether or not they have influenza or COVID and there are even other respiratory viruses that produce a similar pattern of symptoms as well,” said Dr. Kaminski.
Many of you have posed questions on our Facebook page asking if it is safe to get the flu vaccine this year. The answer, health officials say, is yes.
The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department says it's more important, especially for those who have pre-existing conditions or weaker immune systems
“You could ward off the issue of differentiating between the flu and COVID-19 if you have the vaccine. It's really important, especially for the age group we know this affects, to make sure they're getting the flu vaccination. You don't want to have the flu and COVID at the same time,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Eric Zgodzinski.
Officials at the health department do not have a firm date as to when this year's vaccine will be released, but usually it comes mid-September.