BOSTON — Getting a flu shot this year is one of the best ways to help the state guard against a spike in demand for health care services caused by any potential new surge in COVID-19 cases, Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday.
Public health officials have warned that an increase in both diseases could put pressure on the state’s hospitals and health care system, the Republican said at a news conference at a CVS Pharmacy in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston.
“As we continue to fight COVID-19, it’s critical that we do everything we can to minimize the impact of the flu and other respiratory diseases,” Baker said. “Having the flu and COVID-19 surge in the commonwealth at exactly the same time would be an incredibly difficult situation for them to manage their way through.”
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Baker also said the state must push harder to make sure all students receive a flu shot. He said the current vaccination rate for elementary students is 81%, but the state can do better.
State public health officials last month announced flu shots will be required for all students and children six months and older attending childcare, preschool, K-12, and colleges and universities in Massachusetts.
The state is also stockpiling additional flu shots, according to Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders.
Typically the state acquires 900,000 doses from a flu season. This year, the state is upping that to 1.15 million doses or about a 28% increase, Sudders said.
In the 2019-2020 flu season, there were 40,000 positive cases of the flu reported to the state Department of Public Health. About 6,600 people died, according to Sudders.
Commonwealth usually gets about 900 thousand flu vaccinations. This year they are getting 1.156 million doses.
— Robert Goulston (@rgoulston) September 17, 2020
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