Doctors: Now is the time to get flu, COVID vaccines

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The beginning of October officially marks the start of flu season and while there hasn't been a large number of cases reported in central Ohio this early in the season, doctors said that doesn’t mean the flu isn’t out there. 

According to medical experts, flu season can be unpredictable, but the one thing they can predict is that the flu, COVID and RSV are coming.  

Dr. Ben Bring at OhioHealth said cases of the flu and respiratory viruses will start to increase over the next month or so.  

“I had patients yesterday in the afternoon and a majority of my afternoon was people asking about the flu shot, so it was very timely,” he said. 

Watch: Now is the time to get flu, COVID vaccines

If it’s been a while since you’ve last been sick, Bring said you may have the flu if you are achy, fatigued, feverish and have the chills. Symptoms for the common cold typically are a runny nose, congestion, and some coughing. For COVID, Bring said a sore or scratchy throat is the most common symptom he has seen. If you think you have the flu or COVID, Bring said to see a doctor. 

“The key with the flu is if we can diagnose it quickly and you can do it within a certain window, we can actually prescribe Tamiflu, which is safe and effective at reducing symptoms,” he said. “The same is true for COVID. You know, if you can test for COVID and you are over a certain age, there’s also antivirals called Paxlovid that can be safe and effective in keeping older patients out of the hospital.”  

If you do think you’re sick, Bring said stay at home, cover your coughs and wash your hands frequently.  

In central Ohio, it’s unlikely many people have had the flu, COVID or RSV yet this fall. Dr. Miller Sullivan, the medical director at Franklin County Public Health, said that’s why now is the time to get the vaccines. 

“The best thing you can do, the most important thing you can do is be vaccinated against those illnesses that we can vaccinate you for: flu, COVID and for some people RSV,” Sullivan said.  

Both doctors said flu shots and COVID boosters really are the best bet for preventing illnesses or getting just a mild case.  

“Even though you can have mild illnesses, you can have very serious illnesses and every year, people die from flu, from COVID, from RSV and other things, so you want to do everything you can to prevent getting the disease or a serious case of it,” Sullivan said. 

You can get up to date on your flu shot and COVID booster at your local pharmacy or at Franklin County Public Health’s vaccine clinics. For more information about when the clinics are or how to schedule an appointment, click here.   

If you are 75 years old and older or pregnant, you are also eligible for an RSV vaccine which are available at local pharmacies or Franklin County Public Health as well. Find out more information about the vaccine by clicking here.