LITTLE ROCK, Ark — Local health experts have been encouraging people to get the COVID-19 vaccine since it was rolled out in stages to different Arkansans over the course of the year.
Now they're reminding people to get their flu vaccines for the upcoming influenza season.
Last year’s flu season saw low numbers. Experts attribute this to people wearing masks and washing their hands. With fewer masks being worn this year, they’re anticipating flu numbers to go back up.
“We can promote them and they can get both at the same time, now that that’s recommended and approved by the CDC. So we are able to give them both at the same time," said Kyleigh Stout with Cornerstone Pharmacy.
She said pharmacists have been busier than usual offering COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, and now the flu shot.
They started offering it at the end of August.
There was a total of 2,050 positive influenza tests reported to the Arkansas Department of Health online database by health care providers last flu season.
There were 18 flu-related deaths.
The CDC labeled cases for the state as minimal.
Beyond the flu, fall allergies are still a concern as well.
“Ragweed is a plant that is very common here in Arkansas and tends to bloom in the late summer and early fall season. Very commonly, when it blooms lots of people are allergic to it. ," said Wendell Pahls, Baptist Health Medical Director for Emergency and Transfer Services.
He said when people's allergies flare up, there's worry that some signs can be indicative of COVID or the flu in patients.
Allergies aren't typically associated with a fever or body aches that come with symptoms like the flu.
Another sign is that the flu doesn't loss of taste and smell with cases like COVID.
“Over the last 20 or 30 years, traditionally we’ve lost a lot of people to influenza and certainly we’ve lost a lot of folks to COVID. So the more people that would get their flu shots and get their vaccinations, the better off everybody will be," said Pahls.
“I would recommend it now or into October. Just because you want to make sure you’re covered now, but also you want to make it extend long enough because the flu season can go well into spring," said Stout.
The Arkansas Department of Health will offer mass vaccine clinics across the state starting on September 27. Click here for a schedule.
Walk-in flu shots are always available at open Local Health Units across Arkansas.