Milford Regional Medical Center has launched a campaign called “Protect Our Home Team” to highlight the importance of getting the flu vaccine, especially with the emergence of COVID-19.

“As fall approaches, we face the dual challenge of flu season combined with our continued battle with COVID-19,” MRMC said in a statement. “This combination of serious illnesses threatens not only the health of our community, but threatens to overwhelm the healthcare system. Influenza and COVID-19 have similar symptoms. Getting a flu shot will help minimize the infection and spread of the flu, thereby lessening the pressure on our health system, healthcare workers and hospital capacity.”

MRMC added that getting a flu vaccination not only protects the recipient but also the people around the individual, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness such as babies, young children, older people, those with certain chronic health conditions and other high-risk groups.