Flu Vaccine

Boise, ID September 21st, 2020 – Primary Health clinics have seen record demand for flu vaccine in recent weeks, as patients seek to protect themselves and their loves ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since August, more than 10,000 patients have received their flu shots at Primary Health, a number that exceeds previous years by nearly 50% with no sign of slowing down. David Peterman, M.D., Primary Health CEO, and pediatrician, said, “I tell all my patients to get the flu shot and get it now. I want to vaccinate the kids, the parents, and the grandparents. We can’t just ignore a fever or a cough this year. Any sign of illness will mean dismissal from school or work, getting tested for COVID-19, and potential quarantine for an entire household or classroom while results are pending. 

Flu activity is widespread in 49 states and from coast to coast, hospitals and emergency rooms are struggling to keep up with patient demand. In California, tents have been set up to triage thousands of patients in recent weeks as hospitals overflow. In Alabama, a state of emergency has been declared as half of all county hospitals are at 90% capacity, full or over capacity.