Roll Up Your Sleeves Against COVID-19 and the FLU

Need help finding COVID-19 and FLU vaccines near you?

Did you know the CDC has declared an end
 to the Federal COVID-19 Public Health
Emergency (PHE)? Here’s what you need to know:

In the fall of 2023, the U.S. Government concluded its COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Access Program. As a result, Americans who are insured can receive free COVID-19 vaccines through their health insurance plans.

People who are underinsured/uninsured can continue to receive free COVID-19 vaccines through the CDC’s Bridge Access Program. However, it’s important to note that this program will only provide free COVID-19 vaccines for a limited time, with its expected end date being December 31, 2024.

Additionally, there are other important updates you should be aware of:

While the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency has ended, it’s essential to stay vigilant. Getting vaccinated not only protects you, but also your loved ones and our community. Let’s keep rolling up our sleeves to keep Gwinnett County safe from COVID-19.

Why you should get vaccinated?

Getting vaccinated is not only a personal choice; it’s a powerful step towards safeguarding your health and the well-being of those around you. Vaccines have a proven track record of preventing serious illnesses and saving lives. By getting vaccinated, you’re contributing to making a stride in achieving herd immunity, ultimately protecting vulnerable populations who may be at higher risk.

Check Your COVID-19 and FLU Vaccine Status

Before receiving vaccines for COVID-19 or the FLU, it’s important you know the answers to the following questions:

• Which vaccines have you previously received?
• How many doses of each vaccine have you had?
• When did you receive your most recent vaccine?

If you’re unsure about the answers to these questions, don’t worry. You can access your immunization records online through the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), or you can talk to your doctor and ask for a copy of your immunization history.

Where Can I Get COVID-19 & FLU Vaccines?

Like the annual FLU shot, COVID-19 vaccines are also being recommended as an annual vaccine. It is important to get your latest dose of the updated monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. 

That’s why we provide COVID-19 and FLU vaccine locators to help you find nearby clinics, including those in Gwinnett County. Let’s protect you and others, one shot at a time.

What are the differences between the COVID-19 and FLU vaccines?

COVID-19 and FLU vaccines differ significantly. While the FLU vaccine is primarily a respiratory illness, COVID-19 can impact not only the lungs but also other organs and bodily functions. These vaccines employ distinct mechanisms to strengthen the immune system.

For example, the FLU vaccine is an inactivated vaccine. In simple terms, an inactive FLU virus along with other ingredients. It doesn’t cause illness but helps the immune system recognize and defend against it. 

Following the approval of updated COVID-19 vaccines in early September, the only authorized vaccines are now the monovalent mRNA types.

The CDC states that mRNA vaccines use mRNA technology, which is created in a laboratory. These molecules teach our cells how to make a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. 

It’s worth noting that COVID-19 vaccines can cause mild to moderate side effects, lasting a few hours or up to a day or two, such as pain, swelling, chills, fever, headache, and tiredness; however, these side effects are normal. Why? These symptoms indicate the immune system’s response and its preparation for future protection. Keep in mind that, it takes the body up to two weeks to build immunity against COVID-19.

We highly recommend that individuals, especially those who have experienced previous vaccine reactions, consult with a physician before getting their FLU or COVID-19 shot. By doing so, you can potentially avoid any side effects and ensure a safer vaccination experience.

What Are the Key Differences Between COVID-19 and the FLU?

Both COVID-19 and the FLU are contagious respiratory illnesses, sharing similar symptoms but caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is the result of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, first identified in 2019, while the FLU is caused by influenza virus. 

Compared to the FLU, COVID-19 tends to spread more easily and can lead to more severe illness in some cases. Individuals with COVID-19 may take longer to display symptoms and remain contagious for extended periods, unlike the FLU.

Getting tested is crucial because it not only identifies the illness but also allows medical professionals to promptly diagnose and treat the specific virus. Early treatment for both COVID-19 and the FLU can significantly reduce the risk of severe illness.

What are the symptoms?

The following are typical FLU and COVID-19 signs and symptoms from mild to severe:

Symptoms of both COVID-19 and the FLU

• Fever.
• Chills.
• Cough.
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
• Fatigue (tiredness).
• Sore throat.
• Runny or stuffy nose.

• Muscle pain or body aches.
• Headaches.
• Vomit.
• Diarrhea (it’s more frequent in children with FLU, but it can show up in any age with COVID-19)

When do symptoms appear?

How long can people spread each virus?

Usually, people infected with the FLU may experience symptoms from one to four days after infection.

Whereas, symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. 

However, with the FLU and COVID-19, it is also possible to be infected without having or experiencing any symptoms.

People with COVID-19 may be contagious for a longer period of time than those with the FLU.

With COVID-19, people can start spreading the virus between two and three days before their symptoms appear and can last about eight days. 

On the other hand, people with FLU can be contagious a day before they experience symptoms. However, studies show that the FLU is at its peak contagiousness during the initial 3–4 days, while infants and people with weakened immune systems can be contagious for even longer.

Both viruses can be transmitted through close contact. COVID-19 and the FLU spread via respiratory particles released when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks, potentially infecting those nearby. Additionally, touching surfaces or people contaminated with the virus and subsequently touching one’s mouth, nose, or eyes can lead to infection with either COVID-19 or the FLU. 

Indoor areas with poor ventilation can facilitate the spread of both viruses over longer distances, increasing the risk of transmission. However, COVID-19 is more contagious than the FLU, often resulting in events that can rapidly infect many people.

Older adults, people who are immunocompromised, and pregnant people are at risk of developing severe illnesses from both COVID-19 and the FLU. 

However, COVID-19 can lead to hospitalization and even death on some occasions, even in otherwise healthy individuals. 

Compared to the FLU, COVID-19 carries a higher risk of causing severe illness if left untreated. It can result in hospitalization and, in some cases, even lead to death, even among otherwise healthy individuals. Additionally, this virus can lead to developing post-COVID conditions or multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) in patients.

How does COVID-19 and the FLU spread?

Who has a higher risk of experiencing severe illness?

What are the health complications?

Both the FLU and COVID-19 can lead to various health complications, including:

• Respiratory failure.
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (fluid in the lungs).
• Sepsis.
• Cardiac injuries (such as heart attacks and strokes).
• Multiple-organ failure (involving respiratory and kidney failure, and shock).
• Aggravation of chronic medical conditions.
• Inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscle tissues.
• Secondary infections.

What are the approved treatments for COVID-19 and the FLU?

The FLU may also result in secondary bacterial infections (like bacterial pneumonia, sinusitis, and otitis), as well as diarrhea, primarily in young children. 

There are FDA-approved prescription antiviral drugs specifically designed to treat the FLU, not COVID-19. In most cases, individuals hospitalized with the virus or those at a higher risk of complications are prescribed antiviral medication. 

The FDA has authorized the use of the immune modulators Olumiant (baricitinib) and Actemra (tocilizumab) in specific hospitalized adults with COVID-19. Furthermore, they have approved the oral antiviral pill Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets, co-packaged for oral use) as a treatment for COVID-19 in designated adult patients. 

To find approved treatment options for COVID-19, please visit this website.

Let’s roll up our sleeves for Gwinnett!

Vaccines are an effective way to protect ourselves against severe, deadly diseases and disabilities. According to the CDC, 3 out of 4 adults are missing their recommended immunizations. We want to take part in helping increase low adult vaccination rates by providing resources to low-cost/affordable medical providers. 

Gwinnettians! We encourage you to roll up your sleeves and join the effort to stop the spread of preventable diseases.

Resources to Affordable Providers

The Gwinnett Coalition is a nonprofit organization with a vision of fostering equity and prosperity in Gwinnett. We work alongside members of our local government, the business community, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and concerned citizens to champion health equity, mental and behavioral health, and nonprofit capacity building to advance health and well-being for all Gwinnettians.

What is Gwinnett Coalition?

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Let’s roll up our sleeves for Gwinnett!

© 2023 Gwinnett Coalition. All Rights Reserved

If in need of a free test kit, check out the CDC's No Cost COVID-19 Test Locator to order one from the government. We strongly recommend that before throwing away your “expired” test kit, you should verify if it has extended expiration dates, to make the most of your resources and stay prepared.

Exclusive Symptoms of COVID-19:

• Changes or loss of taste or smell.
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.

• Confusion.
• Inability to wake up or stay awake.
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone.

COVID-19 has its unique complications, including blood clots in veins and arteries. Blood clots can affect any organ in the body such as the lungs, legs, brain, or heart. It can also cause Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and in Adults (MIS-A).

Adult Recommended Vaccines

Vaccines are not only for children. Various childhood vaccines wear off over time, causing the need for another dosage as an adult. There are also other vaccines for preventable diseases that you may be at risk of due to factors like age, job, lifestyle, travel, and health conditions.

Every adult needs an immunization to help avoid getting and preventing the spread of serious diseases that can cause poor health, missed work, medical bills, and inability to care for their family.

Below are some of the vaccines recommended for adults. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about the vaccines that are recommended for you, before getting any vaccine.