The Flu Season 2021

cdc-VYUNnjcHyNw-unsplash

During the Coronavirus pandemic, many people have been worried about the upcoming Flu season. But to everyone’s surprise, the numbers in the southern hemisphere were the lowest they have been in a long time. “Never in my 40-year career have we ever seen rates ... so low,” says Greg Poland, an influenza expert at the Mayo Clinic. This is probably due to social distancing all over the world. 

Over the past few months, many countries have closed their bars, restaurants, and social events. This has led to fewer people socializing with one another and thus lowering the infection rates of the flu. 

Israel is predicting that it will have a shortage of flu vaccines this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. People have been more aware of the disease and they are worried about getting the flu vaccine and the Coronavirus, therefore, they are predicting that more people will get the flu shot. Due to this prediction, Israel is prioritizing the flu vaccines and   have started vaccinating the elderly people from the age of 75 and older. 

Myths about the Flu Vaccine 

There are still many people who aren’t sure about getting the vaccine. Here are 4 common myths (or misconceptions) and facts about the flu shot:

  1. “It might not work” – some people get the flu shot but still get the flu, and they claim that the vaccine didn't help them at all. This is a common misconception because the flu shot gives people antibodies to protect you from the flu. If you get the flu afterward, your body has the antibodies that will help your body fight the disease faster and better.  The average illness for the people who get sick after getting a flu shot is a few days long and with mild symptoms (as opposed to up to 2 weeks with flu, and severe symptoms.)  Also, consider that flu symptoms take 1-4 days to appear after being exposed to it.  People who get sick within a day of the flu shot were exposed before they were vaccinated!  

2. “I’m healthy, I don’t need the shot” – many people claim that they have never had the flu and therefore they are safe. They may not have gotten the flu shot last year and were fine. This year is different however due to the Coronavirus as getting the flu and the Coronavirus – can be extremely dangerous. Therefore, we recommend that you get a vaccine. 

 

3. "I got the flu vaccine last year" – there is a false notion that if you get the flu shot, then you don't need other flu shots, like other types of vaccines for measles, tetanus, etc. This is incorrect because unlike most vaccine-preventable contagious illnesses the flu virus is continually mutating, so the vaccine must be updated every year for both hemispheres.  The flu vaccine from last year won't be effective for the flu this year. Sometimes flu strains can re-emerge, such as H1N1 (swine flu) that caused a major pandemic in 2009, which is why this virulent strain remains in flu shots – to continually boost people's immunity.  Once you have had the flu, you are naturally immune to that particular flu strain only, but not to others.

4. “There are drugs to treat the flu”- Although there are antiviral medications that can ease symptoms and speed recovery, they aren't the first line of defense, according to the CDC.  These drugs are only effective if started within 24 hours of symptoms starting. We have seen students start taking medicine from home before even getting a diagnosis, and oftentimes they were taking the antiviral medication for common colds and not the flu!  Getting immunized is the best way to protect yourself against the virus.

5. “I am very careful around sick people” - People are often contagious before they get symptoms, so the flu spreads even when people are being careful.  Short of living in a bubble, you will not be able to protect yourself from people who are not sick yet!  Of course, EMA Care recommends being careful around sick people (see guidelines below), but that is not enough to prevent you from catching the flu.

antibody testing for quarantine exemption 4

Guidance for students living in dorms

Students who are living in dorms usually catch illnesses from their roommates or fellow students because they are living in smaller, more crowded spaces. Preventing the spread of illness for anyone includes:

  • Always wash your hands after being near a sick person, and before and after eating.
  • Use precautions with exposure to saliva from sick people.  This includes avoiding drinking from the same cup, eating with common utensils, and sharing lip balm.
  • Flu is spread through airborne droplets, which are often invisible to the naked eye.  These are spread for up to 6 feet (2 meters) through talking, singing, coughing, sneezing, and even breathing.  So, keep your distance from people with the flu.
  • Prevent your friends from getting sick.  If you are sick – sneeze and cough into your sleeve, not into the air. 
  • If you're sick – wash your hands often.
  • Keep common areas clean.  This includes door handles, sink faucets, soap dispensers (that are pumped with unclean hands), bathrooms, and kitchen surfaces.
×
Stay Informed

When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.

Continuing Medications When Moving to Israel
Rheumatoid arthritis

Our Latest Blogs

25 June 2023
Medical Checklist for Gap Year Students It's probably safe to say that the Gap year packing list your child received did not include a medical supplies checklist. There are many reasons to give your kids some medical supplies and medicines before the...
31 October 2021
You have decided to make your Aliyah and currently take prescription medications. How can you continue with your medication regimen in Israel? How can you ensure that your medications are available in Israel and how do you communicate the need for th...
17 October 2021
During the Coronavirus pandemic, many people have been worried about the upcoming Flu season. But to everyone’s surprise, the numbers in the southern hemisphere were the lowest they have been in a long time. “Never in my 40-year career have we ever s...

EMA Care in the News

05 September 2021
Medical Care during the Holidays can be tricky in Israel especially if you do not speak Hebrew. During the holidays, many medical offices and hospitals are operating on Shabbat mode. Shabbat mode means that personnel is cut to minimum staffing, many ...
19 July 2021
Over the years, we've been approached by people who've asked us about different kinds of diets and food plans. Intermittent fasting has become very popular over the last few years. It is a method of dieting that restricts the amount of time you are a...
11 July 2021
 Telemedicine is a great option for caring for geriatric populations in Israel. This is especially true during the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the years, we’ve had many clients who care for their older, dependent parents. Take our clients, the A fam...

What Our Clients Say

Our COVID-19 WhatsApp informational group

Thank you so much for your help. I can't tell you how this Whatsapp group helps all of us. It makes everyone so much more relaxed to have real good information and have somewhere to ask questions, I am so grateful!
Read More...

Our COVID-19 WhatsApp informational group

I want to express my appreciation for these very informative updates.

Thank you so much

Read More...

Entry to Israel services

Your team was so attentive to my needs. Everyone was so incredibly quick to respond and were proactive when they were able!

Read More...

Interview with Dr. Mobeen & Dr. Eliana Aaron

Many thanks for your hour-long session on Dr. Syed's YouTube channel. This is the best Hasbara Israel could wish for!

Read More...

EMA Care information and Q&A conference

Thank you for the zoom (and all your updates). It was great. I wish the news was like that. Straight forward, factual, unemotional.  Bravo to both of you ladies!! 

Read More...

EMA Care information and Q&A conference

Thanks so much for your time and attention! It was excellent! Thank you guys so much for organizing.

Read More...

EMA Care information and Q&A conference

Thank you! Very helpful and comprehensive.

Read More...

WhatsApp groups

I really appreciate being apart of your WhatsApp groups. It keeps me informed and up to date!

Read More...

Ema Care WhatsApp groups

I have been following your updates closely and I really appreciate your posts and I know that I am reading accurate information 

Read More...

Recommended by an Infectious Disease Specialist

My experience with Ema Care has been so positive that I wanted to share it in case it could help someone else. Eight days ago my daughter, a Shanah Bet student, called to say she wasn’t feeling well and had symptoms of Covid-19. I was put in touch with an Infectious Disease specialist who recommended Ema Care. I reached Dr. Eliana Aaron easily and signed my daughter up. The next morning, Ema Care gave my daughter a telehealth exam and provided her with prescriptions, as well as a list of

...
Read More...