As Mesa County continues to see community spread of COVID-19, it’s doubly important to protect yourself from the spread of germs as seasons change and the weather cools.

From dropping temperatures to leaves turning from green to yellow, September is a month of change in the Grand Valley.  At Mesa County Public Health, September is also the month we gear up for influenza, or flu, season. Historically, we start to see cases of flu in October. Although it can be hard to predict, the peak week usually falls between December and February. In 2020, the flu season was mild, with no pediatric deaths and just 34 hospitalizations across Colorado.

Like the seasons, our mild flu season is likely to change this year because two significant respiratory illnesses — COVID-19 and influenza — will circulate at the same time. In addition, such COVID-19 precautions that kept flu season at bay in 2020 as social distancing and mask-wearing are more relaxed now, possibly resulting in a more active flu season. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  it’s possible to contract COVID-19 and the flu at the same time.

“You can only imagine how sick you’d feel having both viruses at once. Having one is enough to cause severe illness,” said Allison Sanchez, public health clinic manager at MCPH. “Last year, we didn’t have a COVID-19 vaccine available for most of the flu season. This year, we’re lucky to have effective vaccines available for both viruses.” 

With availability of the COVID-19 vaccine now in many pharmacies and retailers, getting your COVID-19 shot can be just as convenient as the flu vaccine. The CDC allows the administration of both vaccines at the same time if the patient desires to receive them that way. The COVID-19 vaccine is available for free for everyone regardless of insurance status.

Employers know sick employees affect business. Absences affect productivity and can diminish the morale of healthy employees left to pick up the slack. Some employees worried about losing pay or getting behind might come to work sick, putting others at risk and increasing the impacts for the workplace as a whole.   

As with COVID-19, taking steps to protect yourself against the flu helps minimize disruptions by keeping others around you healthy. Employees who are also caregivers — for their children or elderly parents — might miss work if a family member becomes ill and needs assistance. Protecting yourself also lessens the likelihood you’ll spread the virus to vulnerable people in our community.

Some groups, including older adults and people with chronic health conditions, are more likely to experience severe flu complications that can result in hospitalization or even death. During the 2017-2018 flu season, the most significant in recent years, 232 people in Mesa County were hospitalized due to influenza.

Flu vaccine is available at MCPH as well as at several area pharmacies and health care offices throughout the season. 

The MCPH clinic is open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon. Call 248-6900 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. 

MCPH has scheduled two drive-through vaccination clinics for Oct. 16 and 23 at 510 29 1/2 Road in Grand Junction. Registration is required. A link will be available on the MCPH website at
https://health.mesacounty.us starting Oct. 1.