UAB Briefs: Flu vaccine ‘more important than ever’ in 2020
In this weekly online feature, we keep track of interesting people and events on campus at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.
We also provide updates regarding UAB’s efforts to cope with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
For example, Gov. Ivey’s “Safer at Home” state order remains in effect and restricts visitors in state hospitals. UAB Hospital and UAB Medicine clinics have implemented and must enforce these visitation guidelines.
For information regarding how to plan your in-person UAB Medicine hospital or clinic visit, click here.
To read other UAB COVID-19 updates or find health information, go to uab.edu/coronavirus.
Let us know about people, events and programs on campus that deserve a mention in UAB Briefs. Email jchambers@starnespublishing.com.
FLU VACCINE IS CRITICAL
Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever that people get vaccinated for the flu, according to Dr. Erin DeLaney, assistant professor in the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine.
“COVID-19 has put significant stress on the nation’s health care system, and a bad flu season will severely stretch our health care resources,” DeLaney told UAB News.
“I can’t stress enough how important it is that everyone get a flu vaccine this year,” she said.
The flu vaccine will not provide any protection against COVID-19, but it can prevent or minimize the effects of the flu.
“The flu vaccine does not give you the flu. It is safe,” DeLaney said. “It can prevent the flu entirely, or limit the severity and duration of a case.”
There is also at least some evidence that people can be infected by more than one virus at the same time. “We can safely say that co-infection with both viruses could be serious, even life-threatening,” Delaney said.
DeLaney says the time to get a flu shot is in September or early October. Peak flu season is from December to February, and it takes a minimum of two weeks for antibodies against the flu to develop fully following vaccination.
She also cautions against getting the shot too soon, such as in July or August, as the preventive effect will wear off over the subsequent months and flu can linger into spring.
"The CDC advises getting a flu shot no later than the end of October,” she said. “Of course, even getting a vaccination later in the year is better than no vaccination at all.”
People over 65, who face an increased risk for flu, should consider getting a higher-dose vaccination from their medical provider or local pharmacy, Delaney said.
A TRIBUTE FROM ABOVE
The Black Daggers — the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team — performed aerial demonstrations over the UAB campus Sept. 1 in order to honor the efforts of UAB health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to UAB Media Relations.
The demonstration also honored other people in the community who are on the front lines of the pandemic.
The team of four Black Daggers flew from the Birmingham Shuttlesworth Airport and landed on the UAB Campus Green.
Three wore flags attached to their parachutes, representing the United States, the state of Alabama and prisoners of war.
Spectators gathered on the ground to witness the jump with social distancing, face coverings and CDC guidelines observed.
The Black Daggers use the military variant of the ram-air parachute, which allows a free-fall parachutist the ability to jump with more than 100 pounds of additional equipment attached
TAKING AN EXTRA STEP
The UAB Blazer Express Transit System — operated by Groome Transportation — will be the pilot location for new electrostatic sprayers to disinfect vehicles more thoroughly during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to UAB Media Relations.
The new technology exceeds CDC guidance for sanitization and is similar to the technology UAB Facilities is using for public spaces on campus.
The new sprayers will disinfect the interior surfaces of each bus and vehicle with an EPA-registered disinfectant that is 99.999 percent effective against a wide variety of bacteria and viruses, including coronaviruses.
The electrostatic sprayers create charged droplets that repel one another and actively seek out surfaces. The result is a uniform coating of sanitizer or disinfectant on sprayed objects, including hard-to-reach areas…
The Blazer Express system already implemented enhanced cleaning protocols in March, including disinfection of handrails and providing hand sanitizer.
Other safety measures include pre-work temperature screenings and the use of masks and gloves for drivers, a mask requirement for passengers and reduced passenger capacity.