Health officials across the U.S. are bracing for flu season while in the midst of battling the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a phenomenon many in the healthcare community have dubbed the “twindemic.”

Local doctors, pharmacists and healthcare providers are advocating for as many people in Aiken County to get vaccinated for influenza as soon as possible. They hope that early preparation can help prevent people from being infected by multiple respiratory illnesses like colds, strep throat and coronavirus that will be circulating this fall. 

“This is going to be the season,” said Dr. Kenneth Jones, chief medical officer at Rural Health Services. “We’ve never had anything like this before. It’s all new, so we’re going to have to figure it out as we go along. We’re probably going to end up over-treating some people, but I’d rather over treat than under-treat at this time.”

It is possible to become infected with