With flu season upon us and COVID-19 variants spreading through our community, it’s more important than ever to be fully vaccinated.
The vaccines for flu and COVID-19 do not interfere with one another, nor is one a substitute for the other.
Everyone six months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season.
Flu vaccine is available at local health departments, private health care providers and pharmacies near you. It is recommended you contact your health care provider about what form of flu vaccine you should receive.
Most people who get the flu recover in one to two weeks, but some develop various, potentially life-threatening medical complications, such as pneumonia.
Over the past decade, influenza and pneumonia have been associated with an average of 3,500 deaths a year in Illinois. Since 1992, the highest number of flu and pneumonia deaths was the 4,021 recorded in 1993.
Show you support by using the hashtag #SleeveUp on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok) and show you care about the health of those around you and are doing your part to #FightFlu.
Flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:
- fever* or feeling feverish/chills
*It's important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever. - cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue (tiredness)
- some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
To register for vaccination or get more information, visit your local health department’s vaccination website:
City of Chicago Resources:
IDPH Resources:
- IDPH Influenza information
- Fall/Winter Respiratory Virus Frequently Asked Questions
- Fall Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
- Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard
CDC Resources: