Rhode Island health officials are urging residents to get their flu shots to head off more hospitalizations and deaths and limit strain on the state’s health care system during the coronavirus pandemic.
The state Health Department this year ordered 680,000 doses of the flu vaccine — 150,000 more doses than last year, Joseph Wendelken, a department spokesman, said in an email. That is enough to cover about 64% of the state’s 1.06 million residents. And the department could order more “if there is the demand,” Wendelken said.
About 60% of Rhode Island residents were vaccinated against the flu during the 2018-2019, he said, including 78% of all children and 56% of all adults. The vaccination rate was highest — almost 62% — among white residents. The rate was 53% for Black residents and just over 61% for Hispanic residents.
Rhode Island had the highest rate of flu vaccinations among adults of any state in 2018-’19, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
This year’s vaccine protects against two influenza A strains — including the H1N1 strain — and two influenza B strains. Two enhanced flu vaccines will be available to seniors.
If fewer people contract the flu that also could have the added benefit of reducing the number of coronavirus tests that the state will need to administer, since the symptoms are similar. Even if someone tests positive for the flu, doctors say, they would still likely need a COVID-19 test since the symptoms are similar and it’s possible to be infected with both.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual flu vaccines for children six months and older.
Rhode Island residents who need a vaccine can contact their primary care doctor. If they don’t have a primary care doctor, they can visit the state Health Department website for a list of community clinics in English or in Spanish.
— Lynn Arditi, a health reporter, can be reached at larditi@thepublicsradio.org
