Officials at South Carolina’s leading health agency are strongly encouraging flu vaccinations in light of ongoing health crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health experts from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control are urging flu shots with the hope that early vaccination can help flatten the state’s curve of influenza infections, fearing that an influx of flu-related hospitalizations could exacerbate issues hospitals are already facing as they deal with the worst public health crisis in a century.
“This year, this may be the most important flu shot of your life,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, interim S.C. DHEC public health director, in a news release. “We’re experiencing the worst public health crisis in 100 years, and it’s never been more important for each and every one of us to stay as healthy as possible. We owe it to ourselves, our loved ones, and the essential workers and first responders