Shantanu Agrawal, MD: Flu Education and Flu Prevention Measures

In the latest episode of Lungcast, ALA Chief Medical Officer Al Rizzo, MD, spoke to Dr. Shantanu Agrawal, Chief Health Officer of Anthem, Inc., of flu education efforts and preventative measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent months, COVID-19 cases had once again risen in the United States, with 7-day averages remaining above 100,000 cases.

Despite a relatively low prevalence of influenza in the 2020-2021 season, early indicators suggest that the US may be heading into a more common flu season, which has brought about conversations regarding a potential “twindemic” this winter.

To help inform and protect Americans from both the flu and COVID-19, Anthem Foundation and the ALA joined forces to create the Fend Off Flu campaign.

Though the mRNA technologies used to create the COVID-19 vaccine differ from flu technologies, vaccinations are considered the best line of defense when protecting oneself from either infection.

Additionally, the campaign speaks to how vulnerable groups such as the elderly can best protect themselves from the flu with high dose vaccinations that function similarly to the COVID-19 booster shots.

“I think that elements of the messaging is really critical as we work together to reach out to our patients and our members to make sure that the elderly are educated about the high dose vaccination,” he said.

To hear more on vaccinations and other flu prevention methods, watch the video above. To hear the full episode of Lungcast, listen to the podcast below.