Seasonal Flu and COVID-19:
An Important Update from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)

In an email dated July 16, 2020, USICH made several strong recommendations related to planning for the upcoming flu season.

The need for the 2020-21 seasonal flu vaccine, when medically appropriate, is extremely important. Local plans should be in place to appropriately address the seasonal flu within the homeless community in order to reduce its compounding effects on COVID-19. USICH and the CDC made these recommendations and documents available.

USICH Report

The Federal Response for Families and Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Report is focused on USICH’s efforts and national outcomes during the first six months of COVID-19. It addresses the impact of Coronavirus on families and individuals experiencing homelessness from January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020.

Of particular interest:

Visit the website and download the report »

CDC Recommendations

The following CDC guidance covers immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic and can be found on their website, as well as below, for your convenience.

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons age 6 months and older to decrease morbidity and mortality caused by influenza. Healthcare providers should consult current influenza vaccine recommendations for guidance around the timing of administration and use of specific vaccines. During the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the overall burden of respiratory illnesses is important to protect vulnerable populations at risk for severe illness, the healthcare system, and other critical infrastructure. Thus, healthcare providers should use every opportunity during the influenza vaccination season to administer influenza vaccines to all eligible persons, including:

  • Essential workers: Healthcare personnel, including nursing home, long-term care facility, and pharmacy staff, and other critical infrastructure workforce
  • Persons at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19: Including adults age 65 years and older, residents in a nursing home or long-term care facility, persons of all ages with certain underlying medical conditions. Severe illness from COVID-19 has been observed to disproportionately affect members of certain racial/ethnic minority groups
  • Persons at high risk for influenza complications: Including infants and young children, children with neurologic conditions, pregnant women, adults age 65 years and older, and other persons with certain underlying medical conditions