Massachusetts Dental Society Issues Flu Vaccine Recommendations

SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass.—October 6, 2020—The combination of the seasonal flu and the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to overwhelm the health care system. If this happens, the United States could see key supplies diverted to hospitals, reintroduced prohibition on non-emergency dental care, and another complete shutdown of the Massachusetts economy.

Thus, the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) Board of Trustees has issued the following guidance: The MDS strongly recommends all dental professionals get the flu vaccine. Additionally, the MDS strongly recommends all dentists encourage their patients to get the flu vaccine. 

“We urge the dental community to do their part in trying to minimize the dual impact of flu season and the COVID-19 pandemic on our patients, our communities, and the health care system,” said MDS President Dr. MaryJane Hanlon. “As essential health care workers, dental professionals should protect themselves and their patients by getting a flu shot.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that “all U.S. health care workers get vaccinated annually against influenza” and get an annual flu vaccination for “everyone 6 months of age and older, with rare exceptions, because it is an effective way to decrease flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.”