Local Health Officials: Been Vaccinated? Flu Shots Are Safe And a Good Idea

Pasadena officials and local health care providers say that getting a flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccination is completely safe. Moreover, a flu shot is recommended as the flu season draws near.

City spokesperson Lisa Derderian said flu continues to be a threat to the community as it has the potential to cause severe illness, especially among vulnerable populations. 

“As the local economy opens up again, getting a flu shot is an important step to protect yourself and those you care about.”

Derderian said Pasadenans should get their shot before the flu season begins in October to get themselves protected early, especially since it takes about two weeks after inoculation for antibodies to develop in the body.

According to Derderian, the Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) recommends a flu vaccine to everyone older than six months.

The PPHD will offer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines during fall, according to Derderian.

The two vaccines don’t conflict, nor directly support each other.

“Flu vaccines will not prevent COVID-19, but they will reduce the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths on the health care system and conserve scarce medical resources for the care of people with COVID-19,” pointed out Mauricio Ramos of Pasadena-based ChapCare Healthcare Services.

Ramos said taking the flu vaccine this year is “more important than ever” with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

ChapCare will offer flu shot clinics.

CVS Pharmacies in Pasadena — there are four — are already offering flu vaccines to the public, a company spokesperson said.

“Getting a flu shot is a great way to be proactive about your health and the health of your community,” said Angela Patterson, chief nurse practitioner officer and vice president of CVS Health. 

“It’s an easy way to protect yourself and those around you who may be more vulnerable to serious complications from the flu, such as infants and young children, older adults, and people with certain chronic health conditions.”

Patients can make vaccination appointments at CVS Pharmacy by visiting CVS.com, through the CVS app, or by texting FLU to 287898.

Patients may also schedule an immunization appointment with MinuteClinic provider at MinuteClinic.com.

Walk-in appointments are also welcome at both CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic throughout the flu season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that individuals get vaccinated early in the fall, ideally no later than the end of October.

The CDC estimates that influenza has resulted in between 9 million and 45 million illnesses, between 140,000 and 810,000 hospitalizations, and between 12,000 and 61,000 deaths annually since 2010.