COVID-19 Resources for Flu Season

With flu season approaching, we wanted to share some resources to help keep yourself, your family, and your children safe!

For more COVID-19 resources, check out these previous blogs on mental and physical health and families and schooling.

A Unique Flu Season

• Protect Your Health This Season from CDC
  Discover key facts about the flu vaccine, preventing flu, and protecting those at high-risk for flu complications.

• Flu Season and Coronavirus: How to Prepare by Lisa Lockerd Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H.
  Infectious disease expert Lisa Maragakis and Johns Hopkins Medicine offer insights on what to keep in mind as you prepare for the fall and winter flu season.

• How to Prepare for Flu Season in the Time of COVID-19 from Cleveland Clinic
  You can take some simple steps to protect yourself and your loved ones while helpingkeep hospitals from becoming overwhelmed with sick patients this flu season.

• Four Ways to Prepare for Flu Season in a Pandemic by Dr. Ramon Cancino, M.D.
  Flu season will soon collide with the coronavirus pandemic—Dr. Ramon Cancino of the University of Texas Health shares tips to help you prepare.

Keeping Children Healthy

• How do you protect your child from the flu? by Craig A. Shrift, M.D.
  With school back in session, flu season is here. The good news is your child doesn’t have to face days of bed rest and discomfort if you take the right steps.

• How to Protect Your Kids This Flu Season by Margaret Chapman
  As if the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t been enough to deal with this year, another respiratory virus is on the horizon—influenza. U.S. health officials fear the overlap of the two viruses could further strain healthcare systems. Thankfully, there are ways to protect yourself and your family.

• Flu and coronavirus can be different in kids—Here are the symptoms by Joyce Retz
  With flu season upon us amid the coronavirus pandemic, parents with children feeling under the weather may find themselves confused and anxious about symptoms. Many seasonal influenza and coronavirus symptoms are the same, but this chart helps you tell the difference.

Preparing for the Flu Shot

• Which Flu Vaccine Should My Children Get This Year? by Flor M. Muñoz, M.D., FAAP
  The flu can be a very serious illness. With the COVID-19 pandemic this year, it is even more important to protect your child from viruses like influenza.

• How to support kids for flu shots from Dose of Play
  One mom shares her coping plans and experience of getting flu shots for her two young children.

• Why Your Child Needs Their Flu Shot ASAP (and Maybe a Second Shot, Too): A Note From Our Physician-in-Chief by Juan C. Salazar, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP
  This year is a hectic back-to-school season for many families –but don’t be tempted to put off your child’s flu shot—Connecticut Children’s physician-in-chief shares why your child should get a flu shot this year.

• How to prepare and support kids for the flu shot from Dose of Play
  Many moms feel nervous when taking their child to a doctor’s office, especially when needle procedures are happening. Still, there are strategies and coping tools to help both you and your children with this commonly distressing experience.

• Preparing your child for a flu vaccination from Boston Children’s Hospital
  Most children have some fear of needles and may get scared before a vaccination. Child life specialists from Boston Children’s offer tips and techniques for preparing your child for the vaccination.

• 6 Tips for Preparing Kids for Flu Shots by Jeff Hayward
  Going to the doctor is not much fun for adults, let alone kids. While there’s no guarantee getting a flu shot will be a tear-free experience, Hayward shares six tips for helping kids prepare both mentally and physically.

• 7 tips from a pediatrician on how to protect kids from the flu by Lauren Dunn and A. Pawlowski
  Dr. Shilpa Patel shares important tips for families and kids who are preparing to get a flu shot.