Every year in the United States, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized due to influenza. Last year only 40 percent of Utahns got a flu shot.
While we are in the middle of a pandemic with no vaccination for COVID-19, an annual flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and the community from another respiratory virus this year.
Pete Codella with the Governor's Office of Economic Development says keeping healthy will also help keep our economy moving forward.
Symptoms of the flu and coronavirus can be similar. Flu symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headaches and fatigue. Coronavirus symptoms can include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, a new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.
The best defense right now against COVID-19 is to wear a mask, social distance, stay away from large crowds and wash your hands.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. Flu vaccines provide protection against 3 or 4 strains of flu viruses.
You can get a vaccination at Flu Shot Friday. Smith's Food & Drug has partnered with the Governor's Office of Economic Development for Healthy In Utah to encourage everyone to get a flu shot.
Most every Friday until the end of the year, Smith's in partnership with Healthy In Utah will host Flu Shot Friday's at a different Smith's store across the state. There will be exciting prizes and incentives to the first 50 people who show up that day. All Smith's shoppers will receive 50 bonus fuel points with their flu shot.
To schedule an appointment log on to smithsfoodanddrug.com/flu.
The next Flu Shot Friday Drive will be October 2 at the Bountiful Marketplace.
For more information please visit inutah.org/healthy.
