Phila.gov
Read full article at Inquirer.com
Learn where to get free or low-cost COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines in Philadelphia. Find city health centers, eligibility details, and tips for staying protected this winter.
As winter approaches, bringing colder weather and more indoor gatherings, Philadelphians should prepare for a surge in cases of the cold, flu, and COVID-19.
While most Americans have some form of health coverage, millions remain uninsured. In Philadelphia, 10% of residents lack insurance, according to the city’s 2018 report on accessing primary care. Among noncitizen residents, that number rises to 40%.
This means more than 100,000 Philadelphians have difficulties accessing the vaccines they need. But even for those who are insured, fewer people are getting vaccinated than they were in prior years, said Landrus Burress, the city’s director for the Division of Disease Control.
“People’s immunity to viruses that cause COVID and the flu wane three to six months after getting vaccinated. That’s why it’s so important to get an updated dose before we start gathering for the holidays,” Burress said of increased cases and hospitalizations during the winter. “We don’t want anyone stuck sick at home when they could be celebrating with family and friends, or worse, in the hospital. It’s all about gathering and building community during this time of year, and doing so in a safe way.”
