RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – As COVID-19 cases continue to spread across the Commonwealth, health experts are urging people to stay vigilant about the flu.

Over the past few years, the Richmond-Henrico Health District said the flu season has been mild, but officials have seen more cases in the past few months.

Richmond Henrico Health District spokesperson Kat Long said: “In the last few months, we’ve found that the flu is more prevalent in the summer than it was last year.

The Richmond Henrico Health District believes cases have increased as a result of people returning to their pre-pandemic habits.

Liz Morgan, Regional Quality Leader for the CVS Minute Clinic, said, “The more you go out in public without a mask, the easier it is to spread germs.

Health experts say flu season is always unpredictable, but forecasts from the Southern Hemisphere show this flu season could come.

“We are also forecasting a flu season in the Southern Hemisphere, which has proven to be a more severe and active flu season in Australia and Argentina so far this year,” Morgan said.

This is why health experts and the CDC are advising people, especially those over 65 or immunocompromised, to get a flu shot before the end of October.

“If we have to wait until after November, that’s fine,” Morgan said. “But the peak of the flu season is usually in February and lasts until May. That’s why it’s so important to get your flu vaccine before it hits its peak, before it’s really active.” is.”

In early August, the Virginia Department of Health reported the first flu-related childhood death of the 2021-2022 flu season.

The Richmond-Henrico Health District also says getting vaccinated before flu season begins can help prevent the spread of the virus to the most vulnerable people.

“I think a lot of people tend to think that the flu isn’t a big deal,” Long said. “There’s a misconception that the flu is like the common cold. But it can cause very serious illness in those at high risk.”

If you need a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, health experts say you can get this and your flu shot in the same visit.

Flu vaccinations are also available at local pharmacies and health care providers.

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