With the 2020 season well underway, the NFL and NFLPA continue to share educational resources with clubs to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect the team environment.
Alongside Drs. Herman Taylor and James Hildreth, in a video sent to clubs on October 12, 2020, NFL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills, NFLPA President and Cleveland Browns offensive lineman JC Tretter shared information about why it is especially important for everyone in the team environment to get their flu shot this season.
In particular, given the fact that COVID-19 and the flu have many overlapping symptoms, Dr. Sills emphasized that under the NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 Protocols, individuals exhibiting symptoms will be isolated and quarantined until testing can confirm whether the person is suffering from the COVID-19, the flu or some other illness.
"This year, we are all adapting and doing our part to get through the season safely. As part of that effort, it has never been more important to get your flu shot," Dr. Sills said.
The NFL has also shared the following newsletter from the Infection Control Education for Major Sports (ICS) with the Head Team Physicians and Athletic Trainers of all 32 NFL clubs, highlighting the impact of influenza in the United States and stressing ways to reduce the likelihood of contracting the flu this season.
Click here to download the September 2020 ICS newsletter (Volume 1, Number 4).
Download a PDF of "Flu Shots for the 2020 Season" fact sheet here.
