Flu symptoms include fever, chills, headache, congestion, fatigue, and occasionally diarrhea and vomiting in children, according to APH. Over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen and cough syrup, can relieve symptoms, according to APH.
Further, while COVID-19 cases are plateauing, predictive modeling shows an uptick of cases could be on the way in late November, said Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County public health authority.
“Getting boosted is going to be our best defense on the surge,” APH Director Adrienne Sturrup said.
While APH is encouraging all Travis County residents to get boosted, it is focusing on the Black community in particular as data shows the community has lower vaccination rates compared to other populations.
As of Nov. 14, 71% of all Travis County residents have received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccinations, compared to 34% of the Black population.
Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion has echoed these concerns throughout the pandemic and made efforts to increase access to vaccines in Black communities.
“I represent an area that has historically been underinvested in. We don’t have all of the institutions that will probably be the first line of defense for our normal distribution system. We don’t have a lot of H-E-Bs. We don’t have a lot of CVSes,” Travillion said last year in relation to health challenges.
Sturrup said providing access to the vaccine is an ongoing target for APH as well as dispelling any myths or hesitations that might keep individuals from getting vaccinated.
Everyone over age 6 months is eligible for flu and COVID-19 vaccines in Travis County. Flu shots through APH are $25 for adults, $10 for children and free for children with Medicaid. However, flu shots are free with most forms of insurance at many local pharmacies, including Walgreens and CVS.
