The COVID pandemic required a rapid response from scientists, bringing vaccine technology that had been studied for years front and center.

Right now is a great time to get your flu shot, Dr. Leverence with UT Health San Antonio said.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to do everything possible to reduce the spread of influenza by getting a flu shot. And even if you do get the flu, you’re less likely to become very sick or need to be hospitalized after getting a flu shot. Doctors say to get flu shot to help avoid a ‘twindemic’The flu shot takes about two weeks to become fully effective, and you want to be protected before the season begins to ramp up. You can get a flu shot at your local pharmacy in just a few minutes. And if you have a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, get your doctor’s okay before you get a flu shot.

SAN ANTONIO San Antonio health officials are preparing for the flu season amid the novel coronavirus pandemic and coming up with new ways to get people their flu shot while trying to limit the spread of both viruses. What we will be giving is the quadrivalent flu shot, which protects everybody six months and older against two flu A and two flu B viruses, said Dr. Anita Kurian, assistant director of the Metropolitan Health District. San Antonio pediatrician urges people to get flu vaccine early to avoid twin pandemicMetro Health will be hosting drive-thru flu shot clinics in San Antonio this fall. Kurian said people who have recovered from COVID-19 can get a flu shot. Anybody six months and older is eligible to get the flu shot, should get their flu shot, so we minimize the medical visits, the hospitalizations, and thereby the subsequent strain on our health care system that might occur, Kurian said.

Trust Index: The flu shot does not increase your risk of getting COVID-19Published: June 1, 2020, 2:30 pmLocal doctors say the myth is false and stress that it’s more important than ever to get flu shot

SAN ANTONIO Its a claim thats been circulating for weeks: getting the flu shot will increase your risk of getting COVID-19. Two renowned local doctors gave the same definitive answer and then explained why it's never been more important to get the flu shot. The flu shot will help prevent you from getting the flu," said Dr. Ruth Berggren with UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine. That message comes alongside an important reminder: the flu shot does not give you the flu. Read our latest Trust Index stories:Trust Index: Do vitamin deficiencies make you more susceptible to COVID-19?