Asthma and Flu Vaccine during the COVID-19 Pandemic
With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic still affecting communities nationwide, getting your flu shot is especially important for the 2020-21 flu season. This is especially true for people with asthma, who are at higher risk for severe complications if they get the flu or COVID-19.
Symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 can be similar. Both attack the respiratory system and can involve fever, severe body aches, sore throat, dry cough and fatigue.
Flu can increase inflammation of the airways and lungs, triggering asthma flares. Flu can also lead to life-threatening pneumonia or bronchitis.
Who needs flu shot?
The flu vaccine should be given to all people 6 months of age or older, especially those who are at greater risk for flu complications. People who are at high risk for serious flu complications include:
- people who are 65 years or older
- people with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma or COPD
- Pregnant women.
People with asthma are at high risk for flu complications even if their asthma is well controlled. Flu can result in inflamed airways and lungs and trigger asthma flares. People with asthma are more likely to develop pneumonia if they are sick with flu that people who do not have asthma.
If you have COVID-19, suspect you may have COVID-19, or you are recovering from a cold, you should delay getting the flu vaccine until you are no longer ill.
Will the flu shot help fight coronavirus?
The flu vaccine offers no protection from COVID-19 and it’s not a treatment for coronavirus, CDC says. Until a COVID-19 vaccine is available, the best protection is to wear a mask and maintain social distancing measures.
Is it possible to have the flu and COVID-19 at the same time?
It is possible to have the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, CDC says. This could have a severe impact on the body’s immune system and lungs. It could also increase the risk of developing pneumonia. You may need to be hospitalized if you are diagnosed with both.
Is asthma a risk factor for serious outcomes from COVID-19?
CDC says the presence of asthma increases the risk for serious outcomes from COVID-19. For this reason, it is important to take preventive steps to avoid the flu if you have asthma so you don’t catch the flu and COVID-19.
What preventive steps are necessary for people with asthma?
- Make sure you have an Asthma Action Plan developed with your doctor. (You may need to update it during flu season.) Follow the Asthma Action Plan for taking quick-relief and daily controller medications. Make sure your child’s school has the Asthma Action Plan on file.
- Take asthma medications exactly as your doctor prescribes. Quick-relief inhalers are for sudden symptoms while daily controller inhalers encourage long-term maintenance. Be sure you are using correct technique when using your inhaler so you can maximize the amount of asthma medication that reaches your lungs. Ask to demonstrate your technique with your doctor so you can ensure you’re using it properly.
- Avoid asthma triggers that can cause you to have an asthma flare. Common triggers include:
- Pollen
- Mold
- cigarette smoke
- air pollution
- pet dander
- Household pests such as mice, cockroaches and dust mites.
If you get sick with flu symptoms, call your doctor right away. The antiviral drug oseltamivir – commonly known as Tamiflu® – can be used in people with asthma but it is most effective if used within 48 hours after onset of symptoms. People with asthma should not use zanamivir (Relenza®) or peramivir (Rapivab®) because they may cause wheezing in people with asthma.
