FDA Commissioner: We Need to be Prepared for COVID and Flu

Americans need to be prepared for the upcoming flu season at the same time as continuing to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn told Fox Business’ “Mornings with Maria” on Wednesday.

“We need to have in place what we need to respond to flu plus COVID,” Hahn said. “[The FDA] is evaluating different tests that can test simultaneously, at the same time, for both [the] flu and for COVID so that if someone goes in to see their doctor and it’s flu season there can be made a determination about whether it’s flu or COVID-19.”

Hahn added that the FDA is working “very closely” with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the manufactures of flu vaccines “to make sure we have enough flu vaccine available.”

He reiterated that Americans should “follow the CDC guidelines with respect to the flu vaccine - we definitely want more people to vaccinate against flu… [and] we want to be prepared so Americans can have the right medical countermeasures in place for both COVID-19 and for the flu.”

Hahn suggested that people wait for the CDC’s “very robust guidance” about this year’s flu season before receiving the vaccine.

Experts have warned that a second wave of the coronavirus could strike at the start of flu season, which could end up being a devastating combination.

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