2020 has had a lot of twists and turns. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced Canadians to physical distancing, masks, and large-scale remote work. Meanwhile, headlines warn of “murder hornets” and other strange, unprecedented threats that feel as unique as the pandemic we’re living through.
These are weird and anxious times, but the Lung Health Foundation is highlighting one simple choice you can make for some much-needed peace of mind: getting your flu shot.
If you’re on the fence about rolling up your sleeve, the Lung Health Foundation can help you sort influenza myths from facts — like the age-old myth that the flu shot can give you the flu (it can’t), or the brand new myth that getting the flu shot increases your risk of getting COVID-19 (it doesn’t).
There’s also the myth that there’s only one kind of flu shot, or that it’s one-size-fits-all. In reality, older Canadians can protect their lungs even more by asking their health care providers about both the high-dose flu vaccine and the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine. For Canadians of all ages, innovations like new non-egg, cell-based options are offering serious flu protection, too.
Still have questions? The Lung Health Foundation’s Lung Health Line is here. This free service connects Canadians with guidance from a team of Certified Respiratory Educators, who are available via phone (1-888-344-LUNG), email ([email protected]), and web chat (lunghealth.ca) every Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. These experts can also help you manage your asthma, live well with COPD, access information about lung cancer, and even quit smoking or vaping.
Someday, we’ll have a vaccine that protects us from COVID-19. Until then, let’s keep our lungs as healthy as possible.
Why getting your flu shot is more important than ever
You’ve taken steps to protect yourself from COVID-19, but what about the flu? Here’s why getting the flu shot is more important than ever.
It’s a safe and effective way to protect your lungs. The flu shot is safe for almost everyone. It reduces your risk of developing flu by up to 60%!
It can help keep you out of the hospital. The flu shot reduces your risk of serious complications that could you land you in the hospital — which means less risk to you, and more care for Canadians fighting COVID-19.
It means one less thing to worry about. You have more than enough going on right now — the flu and its potentially deadly complications don’t need to be concerns too.
