12/12/2025
OFD Patients,
Flu season is officially here in WNC. Sadly, as of two days ago there have already been 9 deaths in NC from the flu (unusually early this season) and several of our OFD patients have already fallen ill. If you have not yet received your flu shot, please consider getting one at your local pharmacy to reduce your chances of contracting the flu, or at least reducing your symptom intensity should you fall ill to the flu. Unfortunately, OFD just ran out of our flu vaccines for this year.
COVID shots are also available at your local pharmacies which are very much still recommended for our older patients, as well as anyone who is particularly susceptible to COVID infection, or tends to be very sickened when they contract this virus.
Finally, for our patients who are 75 and older, if you have not yet received your RSV vaccine, please consider getting this at your local pharmacy. For folks between the ages of 50-74, who are “at-risk” (Chronic Lung Disease, Uncontrolled Diabetes, BMI > 40, Cardiovascular Disease, Immune Suppression, Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease, Cirrhosis, Frailty), the RSV vaccine would be a good idea for you as well.
And, of course let’s not forget the standard precautions: Please remember to wash your hands regularly, stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep, and consider wearing a mask if sick when with others to prevent spreading our germs.
Wishing you all a healthy holiday season.
Dr. Mike