Wright State Physicians | Photo by Caitlin Shatsby | The Wright State Guardian
The Center for Disease Control detects October as a period of intensification of influenza risk, marking this period as flu season. Here is everything students need to know about different vaccination options this year.
Greene County perspective
Between Sept. 30, 2022 and Oct. 6, 2022, there were 130 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Greene county,where Main Campus sits, according to statistics from Greene County Public Health. Out of those cases, there were 10 hospitalizations and zero deaths.
Numbers for influenza are currently not available; however, cases may be on the rise, according to Dr. Glen Solomon, professor and chair of internal medicine & neurology at Wright State University.
“This coming winter has the potential to be one of the worst years ever for both influenza and for COVID,” Solomon warned.
According to Solomon, Australia provides data tracking, given that the country has just been through its winter season. Those numbers are used to predict how influenza may impact the northern hemisphere.
“They had their worst year in five years for flu,” Solomon said. “Typically, what happens in the northern hemisphere follows from what happens in the southern hemisphere.”
Solomon considered some reasons why influenza cases might be on the rise, noting that immunity against influenza is down due to precautions taken against COVID-19.
Solomon predicts that COVID-19 cases could be on the rise during the winter months as well.
Info to know
Solomon informed that strains of influenza change on an annual basis, essentially making the prior year’s vaccination obsolete.
“So, having been vaccinated last October won’t protect me from the strain of flu that we anticipate this fall and winter,” Solomon said.
Solomon noted that the vaccinations for influenza and COVID-19 are modified according to what strains are most vigorous during the year or season; since the influenza virus is different every year, the efficacy of that vaccination does not carry over, whereas the COVID-19 vaccination is procured from the original strain every time it is updated.
This is the case with the most recent COVID-19 booster, which is now versatile against the Omicron variant of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. The updated COVID-19 vaccination is bivalent due to the added sphere of protection that it offers.
Patients can get both the influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations on the same day.
“I generally tell most people you might be better off getting one in each arm, so that one arm doesn’t hurt so terribly,” Solomon offered.
Students interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccination or booster can visit the Wright State Physicians Health Center office, which is located at 725 University Blvd. The facility does not accept walk-in patients at this time, but students can call (937) 245-7200 to schedule an appointment.
