COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination: Your Questions, Answered

woman with tissue

In 2023, nearly one million people were hospitalized and more than 75,000 people died from COVID-19. During the same year, 44,000 people died from flu complications.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the best way to reduce your risk of contracting these illnesses is by getting vaccinated. 

The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and flu vaccines to protect against potentially serious outcomes. Vaccination is especially important for those 65 and older, those with compromised immune systems and those living in extended care facilities.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines will be available from Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer, and the CDC says these vaccines are safe and appropriate whether or not someone has previously ever been vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine.

Columbus Regional Health primary care offices are fully stocked with the flu vaccine. Supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine continue arriving. Some offices are prioritized in receiving shipments based on their patient populations.

CRH officials recommend calling your primary care office, the Bartholomew County Health Department, or a local pharmacy to check on availability. Don't have a primary care provider? Contact WellConnect, and one of our Connection Specialists would be happy to assist you in finding a provider, and even making your first appointment. 

Extensive research continues to support the safety of seasonal vaccines and shows the importance of vaccination to protect against severe outcomes of COVID-19 and flu, including hospitalization and death.

The virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, and the flu is always changing and protection from vaccines declines over time. Receiving an updated vaccine can restore and enhance protection against the virus variants currently responsible for most infections and hospitalizations in the United States.

Updated 2024-2025 flu vaccines will all be trivalent and will protect against an H1N1, H3N2 and a B/Victoria lineage virus.

For more information on updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines, visit Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC and Seasonal Flu Vaccines | CDC.

To find a location near you that carries the vaccine and to schedule an appointment, go to www.vaccines.gov.

Want more stories like this? Subscribe to our E-newsletter

Subscribe

CRH banner

CRH News

  • CRH Introduces New Text Messaging Service

    Nov 11, 2024, 22:39 by DeClue, A.
    The new platform is a Short Messaging Service (SMS) that provides more customizable, timely, and convenient communication related to a variety of care and service options such as appointment confirmation and reminders, medication follow-ups, billing schedules, and more.
    Full story
  • Bo Paul Project Makes Donation to CRH to Support Families Who Experience Infant Loss

    Nov 6, 2024, 11:51 by DeClue, A.
    The donationed equipment allows grieving families extra time to spend with the infant and the stuffed bears provide a comforting remembrance of their loved one.
    Full story
  • CRH Receives Platinum Award for Chest Pain Treatment

    Oct 24, 2024, 15:36 by DeClue, A.
    Hospitals, such as Columbus Regional, that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available 24/7 every day of the year.
    Full story
  • Columbus Regional Health Releases Results of Triennial Health Survey

    Oct 22, 2024, 13:24 by DeClue, A.
    The information gathered will be used to inform decisions and guide efforts by CRH and CRH’s Healthy Communities Initiative to improve community health and wellness, ensure adequate and equitable access to health services, and surface health disparities.
    Full story
  • CRH Occupational Health Services to Relocate Practice

    Oct 2, 2024, 12:55 by DeClue, A.
    Beginning Oct. 28, patients of Occupational Health Services will be seen at 3015 10th Street, Suite A in Columbus, which formerly housed Family and Internal Medicine. The phone number of 812-376-5104 remains the same. The new Occupational Health Services location offers a larger space with more parking.
    Full story
  • CRH Breast Health Center Receives National Award for Quality

    Sep 27, 2024, 12:02 by DeClue, A.
    As a recognized leader in the healthcare intelligence space, PRC received more than 200 nominations across multiple categories for the Healthcare Leadership awards. The Breast Health Center was recognized with a Quality of Care Award.
    Full story