COVID-19 precautions lead to fewer flu cases this season
Published: April 30, 2021 4:23 PM EDT
Updated: April 30, 2021 5:47 PM EDT
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Face masks, hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes are all things we kept close by during the pandemic and they helped us. There were fewer flu cases this flu season.
But, as more people get vaccinated and some let their guard down, doctors are worried about the troubles that next flu season could bring.
This flu season saw fewer patients walking through Dr. William Bentz doors asking for help.
“Everybody was preoccupied with the COVID-19 virus. So we actually probably had less flu questions this year,” Dr. Bentz said.
Reactions to the second COVID-19 shot have many employers worried that several people will have to stay home from work at the same time, and that’s why special accommodations must be made for teachers in the classrooms. The school districts of Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties have all said they are staggering their staffs’ vaccine […]
Charlotte County moving to walk-up-only model for vaccine shots
Published: April 27, 2021 4:08 PM EDT
Updated: April 27, 2021 6:20 PM EDT
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COVID-19 vaccine appointments will soon be a thing of the past in Charlotte County.
Few people are making first-dose vaccine appointments. In Charlotte County, 87% of seniors 65 and up are now vaccinated.
The Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County plans to switch to a walk-up-only model.
The health department said this plan will allow people to get vaccinated at their convenience rather than plan their schedule around their appointment.
“As we vaccinate younger individuals, those folks have families, job commitments, things like that,” said Joseph Pepe, administrator for the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County. “So it’s much harder for them to schedule what could be two weeks in advance.”
So far this year, The Department of Health in Charlotte County has worked with the state to administer about 4,500 Johnson & Johnson shots at Centennial Park in Port Charlotte. Those shots went into the arms of teachers, first responders and farmworkers.
None of those people reported any side effects. Neither did those who received the shot at Publix or CVS.
The difficult journey to getting vaccinated in Southwest Florida has included long lines and at one time, limited appointment slots.
Alan and Kim Woinski of Rotonda West were among those looking and waiting for a local appointment.
“We had a choice between going up to Tampa, and waiting on the line there or trying to find a place around here,” said Alan.
Vaccine side effects not signs of contagion
Published: April 13, 2021 9:55 AM EDT
Some people experiencing short-lived symptoms from the COVID-19 vaccine fever, chills, nausea, headache have wondered if the shot has left them contagious. The answer is: no, it has not.
Doctors say it is normal to have side effects after the vaccine, with stronger ones more likely after the second dose; in fact, it is a sign the vaccine is working. But if you have a fever or other side effects which continue for longer than 24 hours, you should call your doctor, as it likely means you were exposed to the virus before getting vaccinated, or sick from something else entirely.