'2 arms, 2 shots': Austin health leaders push for flu, COVID vaccines to free up hospitals

Austin American-Statesman - 9/26/2021

Austin-area health leaders are urging eligible residents to schedule vaccinations for both the coronavirus and the flu, warning that local hospitals, already overwhelmed with pandemic patients, can't afford a simultaneous surge of the two diseases in the coming months.

With flu season looming in Travis County, Austin Public Health is encouraging everyone 6 months and older -- with very few exceptions -- to get their annual flu vaccination before the end of October, when cases will likely increase.

Austin Public Health on Thursday said that in addition to receiving a flu vaccination, anyone 12 and older can receive a coronavirus vaccination at the same time.

More: Austin's average daily hospital admissions for COVID now at lowest level since July 27

Austin Public Health is offering both vaccines at several clinics around Austin, but interim Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup said in a public briefing Friday that many doctors' offices, clinics, retail stores, pharmacies and schools can also administer both vaccines simultaneously.

"You have two arms, get two shots - one for flu, and if you aren't fully vaccinated or need a third dose because you're immunocompromised, one for COVID," Sturrup said. "If you're waiting for COVID boosters to be approved, it's still a good time to get your flu vaccination and help protect our community from another outbreak."

Related: COVID-19 vaccine debate evokes memories of meningitis vaccine mandate for Texas colleges

Austin and Travis County, while in the midst of a surge in coronavirus cases last fall, experienced a historic low in influenza sicknesses. Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County health authority, on Friday credited the low number of flu infections last year to the COVID-19 guidelines set in place by Austin Public Health, which included maintaining social distance, wearing masks, washing hands regularly and staying home when sick.

Walkes said it will be very important for the public to continue wearing masks throughout this fall, saying that even though cases of the coronavirus are starting to decrease, hospitals are still overwhelmed and do not have enough staff to treat both an outbreak of the flu and the coronavirus.

"As the flu is also an infection that spreads by aerosolized droplets, we know that we need to not only do the masking efforts that we've done in the past, but we also need to help people get their flu vaccines," Walkes said.

Testing: Which COVID-19 test should you take before a party or large gathering?

Fortunately, Travis County coronavirus data released Friday showed continued improvement in hospitalizations for COVID-19.

The county recorded only 38 new hospital admissions for COVID-19. But the rolling seven-day average of new daily hospital admissions, which helps Austin Public Health determine guidelines for the most medically vulnerable members of the community, stayed at 44 for a second day and below 50 for a fourth day.

The county's highest average for new daily admissions during this most recent surge was 84 on Aug. 11. The average needs to stay below 50 for an extended period before Austin Public Health can consider the area in less danger of community spread.

More: COVID-19, other viruses make flu shots even more important this year

Walkes on Friday said she could not provide an estimated date as to when Austin Public Health would move into Stage 4 of the agency's risk-based guidelines, but she did say she was hopeful the stages -- which range from the safest Stage 1 to the current Stage 5 -- will continue to get lower as more people sign up for vaccinations.

"We are waiting to see a sustained trend of the seven-day moving average of hospitalizations," Walkes said about moving to Stage 4. "It's going to be working not only here in our area to protect our hospital system by having our population here in Austin and Travis County vaccinated, but we also want to make sure that our partners in surrounding counties are doing their part to get people vaccinated as well."

Austin Public Health as of Friday was tracking 441 people in the hospital with COVID-19, which is an improvement over the pandemic record of 653 patients set a month earlier on Aug. 25.

As many as 188 people were in Austin-area intensive care units for COVID-19. That number hit a pandemic record of 237 on Aug. 22. The 123 patients on ventilators also marked a significant improvement over the pandemic record of 174 set four weeks ago on Aug. 29.

Austin Public Health said high-risk individuals are recommended to get the flu vaccine as soon as possible. Those in the high-risk categories include:

** Adults over the age of 65.

** Anyone who is pregnant.

** People with chronic medical conditions.

** Health care workers and caregivers.

Flu shots are available at Shots for Tots/Big Shots clinics for children who are uninsured or Medicaid recipients and for uninsured adults. The flu vaccine costs $25 for adults, $10 for children, and is free for children with Medicaid. No one will be denied services if they are unable to pay. Call 512-972-5520 to make an appointment.

For more information on the flu, visit AustinTexas.gov/Flu. And, to learn about COVID-19 vaccinations, visit AustinTexas.gov/covid19-vaccines or call 311 or 512-974-2000 to schedule an appointment.

Walkes and Sturrup offered s guidelines to help prevent flu illnesses, which include:

** Wear a mask, or cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.

** Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth.

** Avoid others who are sick.

** Stay home if you are sick.

** Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and objects.

Symptoms of the flu include:

** Fever or chills.

** Cough and sore throat.

** Runny or congested nose.

** Body aches.

** Headache.