Vaccinate STL: It's Time to Roll Up Your Sleeves for the Flu Shot (KSDK-TV)

It’s important to get a flu vaccine every year, but it’s especially important this year on top of the coronavirus pandemic. St. Luke’s has partnered with the regional health systems – BJC, Mercy and SSM – to work together to raise awareness and encourage our community to roll up their sleeves and get their flu shots.

Dr. Pearl Philip, an infectious disease specialist with St. Luke’s Hospital, spoke about flu vaccines with KSDK’s Show Me St. Louis.

“The flu vaccine remains the best way to prevent infection of the flu virus,” said Dr. Philip. “It also minimizes the severity of symptoms if you were to get infected, and it prevents complications related to flu infection.”

With COVID-19 in circulation this flu season, and as schools and businesses are opening up, it’s vital that individuals get vaccinated to protect ourselves, our families and our community.

“As healthcare workers are engaged in treating those infected with COVID-19, it’s important to do what we can to ensure they can provide the care to those who need it,” said Dr. Philip. “We need to do what we can to minimize flu in the community.”

The CDC recommends everyone over the age of six months get a flu vaccine.

St. Luke’s network of care offers convenient and safe options to obtain a flu shot at any of our eight urgent care centers. You can check-in online for any available time slot at the location that’s most convenient for you.

You can also find information on public health and retail resources in the community at VaccinateSTL.org.

Watch the full interview below or on KSDK-TV: Vaccinate STL wants everyone to roll up their sleeves as we enter flu season