By Ted Shaw, President/CEO, Texas Hospital Association
As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, health care experts moved quickly to reinforce ways to mitigate disease spread. Good hygiene, social distancing, face coverings, and staying home are important precautions to minimize risk COVID-19. They also are important safeguards to help fight seasonal influenza.
Fighting the flu will be paramount this upcoming flu season, as COVID-19 continues to sicken our communities and tax health care systems and infrastructures. With flu, one critical advantage at our disposal is the annual flu vaccine.
Each year, millions of Americans are infected with the flu and hundreds of thousands are hospitalized with the flu or flu-related complications. More than 10,000 Texans died from flu or flu-related complications during the 2018-2019 flu season, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. It always is important to minimize this toll. But as COVID-19 continues to circulate, it is more critical now than ever that we protect the baseline health of our communities and prevent the spread of other respiratory illnesses.
Routine vaccination prevents illness that lead to unnecessary medical visits, hospitalizations, and further strain of the health care system. As Texas grappled with COVID-19 and health officials encouraged people to stay home, many Texans deferred regular well checks. Doctors and hospitals must continue to emphasize that children receive the regular scheduled vaccinations they need, in addition to the flu vaccine.
Texas hospitals have begun vaccination awareness campaigns earlier this year to increase the rate of vaccination among Texas residents. Physicians, nurses, and other health care providers are encouraged to build on this approach. Communicating the importance of vaccination and associated safety protocols early and often will help reassure those who may be hesitant to get vaccinated. August is immunization awareness month, so now is a great time to begin messaging the importance of vaccination if you have not already.
Texas’ flu vaccination rates for all age groups—except children six months to 4 years of age—typically fall below the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ goal of 70%. Less than 50% of all Texans above six months of age received a flu shot during the last flu season. While children and older adults are more likely to be vaccinated, Texas still falls behind in those age groups as well. In addition, fewer people of color tend to receive flu shots compared to their white neighbors. Health care providers should identify the specific needs or challenges a certain region or population may experience to ensure widespread vaccination.
Providers face an uphill battle to ensure flu vaccination rates for the 2020-2021 flu season do not suffer due to the pandemic. With the rise of telemedicine, fewer people are accessing in-person health care services. Concerns about the risk of COVID-19 transmission in health care settings also may contribute to lower-than-average rates of vaccination. Routine vaccination is an essential preventive measure for youth and adults that should not be delayed because of COVID-19. Texas health care providers will need to work together and harder to encourage vaccination for the upcoming flu season. The health of our communities, families, and health care workers depends on it. Join me in getting vaccinated for the flu, and make sure everyone in your family does also.