Although cases related to the Covid-19 pandemic have recently seen a significant drop, concerns are rising amongst scientists about a new and unusually viral strain of the influenza virus. 

Influenza, known commonly as the ‘flu’, is an infectious disease.

Its symptoms, closely resembling the common cold, include fever, runny nose, muscle ache, and fatigue. 

Although flu vaccines do save lives and spares many from suffering from serious symptoms, it is not 100% effective, and the vaccine’s efficacy is not lifelong.

This is because of the constantly evolving state of the influenza virus. Despite scientists’ efforts to develop effective flu shots, the ever-changing virus continues to return and plague humanity each season.

In temperate regions such as South Korea, seasonal flu usually comes around in winter, which is why the beginning of cold weather is often paired with an increase in illnesses.

Seasonal flu is an extremely dangerous disease.

Each year, tens of thousands lose their lives to the influenza virus, and hundreds of thousands more are hospitalized. 

However, the Covid-19 pandemic has overtaken the flu as a far more serious disease in the public’s consciousness

The Coronavirus first began spreading in November of 2019, and is still a major issue to this day.

The virus has killed nearly 6.6 million people and has changed the fabric of our society.

Though Covid-19 has caused immense harm, it has also had an unforeseen and mostly unnoticed benefit. 

Precautions against the virus, such as washing hands, putting on hand sanitizer, socially distancing and wearing masks have not only helped against the pandemic but have raised social awareness about viruses in general. 

In fact, flu levels hit an unusually low level in 2020-2021, with only 390,000 flu-related hospitalizations and 25,000 flu-related deaths.

But such low levels of infection  are not entirely good news.

The drop in flu patients were mainly due to the aforementioned precautions against viruses the global community has taken.

Recently, with the number of Covid-19 patients dropping, these practices that had become part of everyday life during the pandemic have also become  less strictly enforced.

And so, with cautions against viruses decreasing, scientists and doctors worry that there may be a sudden surge in flu cases in the following year.

Misconceptions about the flu shots in regards to Covid-19 vaccines could also play a part in exacerbating the flu season.

Covid-19 is a form of pneumonia which affects the respiratory systems, and is a completely different virus than influenza. 

Therefore, Covid-19 booster shots do not protect citizens from seasonal flu.

Further, Covid-19 and flu vaccines together do not have side effects, and are perfectly safe to receive together.

Despite this, only half of Americans say they plan to get a flu vaccine.

Some may believe that their body can recover from the flu as easily as it had from a cold or the coronavirus.

This is an extremely dangerous mindset.

The flu is lethal and highly contagious, and the best way to avoid it is to take flu vaccines.

Already, regions such as Texas, Georgia, and Washington D.C in the U.S.A are seeing a rise in flu infection rates. 

To make matters worse, scientists are predicting a surge in Covid cases this winter as well.

Paired with the beginning of the flu season, this may cause a long-feared “twindemic”.

Citizens should be aware of the dangers of the flu and make sure to receive proper influenza vaccinations in order to keep safe from the potential oncoming storm of disease. 

Andy Kim
Year 8
North London Collegiate School Jeju