The depth of our Fantasy rosters are about to be tested this week with all the injuries we're dealing with. It should make for some fun lineup decisions for plenty of Fantasy managers. And by fun, I mean painful for some of you.
Heading into Week 4, here are some of the main injuries we're monitoring: Dalvin Cook (shoulder), D'Andre Swift (shoulder), David Montgomery (ankle), Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle), Michael Thomas (toe), Chris Godwin (hamstring), Hunter Renfrow (concussion), Jarvis Landry (ankle), Dalton Schultz (knee) and Harrison Butker (ankle). Yes, even our kickers aren't safe.
The good news is some of these injuries have created opportunities for other players to step up, including Jamaal Williams, Khalil Herbert, Alexander Mattison and Chris Olave, among others. We'll talk about how good these players can be as starting options for Week 4 below.
Most Fantasy managers would prefer to have the guys they drafted eligible to play, and we'll see how the injuries play out heading into Sunday. But make sure you have a plan in place for a replacement option if needed, and we'll have you covered as always with our suggestions.
We always talk about how the fun of being a Fantasy manager is just that -- managing your team. And we'll see how well you do in Week 4 if you're missing key players due to injury, and how you're able to replace them while still getting quality production in your lineup.
Jamaal Williams was already a productive Fantasy option when D'Andre Swift was healthy. He showed that in Week 1 when he scored two touchdowns against the Eagles, and he had at least 12 total touches in each of the first two games of the season. Then came Week 3.
Swift, who was already dealing with an ankle injury, left the game at Minnesota with a hurt shoulder. Williams ended up with 20 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns, along with two catches for 20 yards on two targets against the Vikings, and now he's set for a prominent role for the next two games (at least) until Swift is back.
This Lions offense has been exceptional running the ball this year, as Swift and Williams have combined for four games with at least 16 PPR points. And Williams should continue to do well in Week 4 against Seattle.
The Seahawks have allowed a running back to score at least 11 PPR points in every game this season, with Javonte Williams, Jeff Wilson and Cordarrelle Patterson all gaining at least 100 total yards in each matchup. Williams scored 21 PPR points in Week 1, and Patterson went for 22 PPR points last week in Seattle.
I like Williams as a top-10 Fantasy running back in all formats this week. While it's not fun seeing Swift on the sidelines, Williams can step in and help plenty of Fantasy managers, starting with a big performance against the Seahawks.
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The Packers defense was embarrassed in Week 1 at Minnesota, but since then Green Bay has shut down Chicago and Tampa Bay, allowing a total of 22 points over that span. The Packers also had six sacks in those two games and three total turnovers. This should be another good performance for this defense against the Patriots with Brian Hoyer under center. The Packers DST are No. 1 in my rankings this week.
Broncos (at LV)
Eagles (vs. JAC)
Colts (vs. TEN)
DST to Sit
Ravens (vs. BUF)
The Ravens DST had a strong performance in Week 3 at New England, but this week will be much different against Buffalo. Against the Patriots, the Ravens had three sacks, three interceptions and recovered a fumble. Baltimore has an interception in every game, with six total, but slowing down Josh Allen will be tough. You should avoid the Ravens DST in Week 4.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Despite a surprise appearance at the start of practice Friday, New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones will not play in Sunday's road game against the Green Bay Packers, the team announced.
Jones has what doctors diagnosed as a severe high ankle sprain that would cause many to have surgery and is likely to miss multiple games, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jones suffered the injury in Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens when 6-foot-8, 307-pound defensive lineman Calais Campbell landed on him.
Veteran Brian Hoyer, now in his 14th NFL season, will start in Jones' place.
Coach Bill Belichick repeated multiple times earlier this week that the Patriots were taking it "day by day" with Jones. Earlier Friday, when asked what he would need to see from Jones for him to play, Belichick added: "That will be a decision made by the medical people, in consultation with Mac, of course."
Belichick said there are situations when a player might be less than 100 percent but could still play and that then it would be a coach's decision. But that didn't seem to be the case with Jones, who hardly moved or stepped into any throws in the limited time he was on the practice field Friday.
Hoyer, 36, has lost his past 11 starts dating back to the 2016 season, but Belichick expressed confidence in him.
"He knows [the offense] better than anybody. He has had a lot of experience, been in a lot of different systems, seen a lot of football, taken a lot of snaps for us in various capacities," Belichick said. "I thought he played well in the preseason."
Hoyer was 13-of-18 for 136 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions in the preseason.
"You never want to see anyone get hurt, ever. And we all know Mac's hunger to compete to be out there," Hoyer said. "For me, you support him, but also be ready to play in the same sense. That's just the nature of the job."
Rookie Bailey Zappe, a fourth-round draft pick out of Western Kentucky, will elevate to the No. 2 role behind Hoyer.
The Patriots also ruled out starting defensive tackle Lawrence Guy (shoulder) and backup offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste (thumb) for Sunday's game in Green Bay, where the Packers have the NFL's longest active regular-season winning streak at 14 games.
The second race of the opening round of the Xfinity playoffs takes drivers to Talladega Superspeedway.
Noah Gragson secured his spot in the next round by winning last weekend at Texas. Ryan Sieg holds the final transfer spot. Riley Herbst is the first driver below the cutline, one point behind Sieg. Also below the cutline are reigning series champion Daniel Hemric (-8 points), Brandon Jones (-12) and Jeremy Clements (-28).
Details for Saturday’s Xfinity race at Talladega Superspeedway
(All times Eastern)
START: The command to start engines will be given at 4:09 p.m. … Green flag is scheduled to wave at 4:21 p.m.
PRERACE: Xfinity garage opens at 1 p.m. … Driver introductions are at 3:30 p.m. … The invocation will be given at 4 p.m. … The Brookwood High School choir will perform the anthem at 4:02 p.m.
DISTANCE: The race is 113 laps (300.58 miles) on the 2.66-mile speedway.
STAGES: Stage 1 ends at Lap 25. Stage 2 ends at Lap 50.
TV/RADIO: USA Network will broadcast the race at 4 p.m. Countdown to Green begins at 3:30 p.m. on USA Network. … Motor Racing Network coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. and also will stream at mrn.com. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will carry the MRN broadcast.
The New Orleans Saints offense will be short-handed in London on Sunday versus the Minnesota Vikings.
Coach Dennis Allen said Friday it's doubtful that quarterback Jameis Winston (back, ankle) plays, as the Saints are prepping to start Andy Dalton. Additionally, Allen officially ruled out receiver Michael Thomas due to a foot injury.
"I think it's doubtful that Jameis plays in the game, and so our plan right now is to have Andy ready to go," Allen said. "We'll see how things go overnight, but Andy will be ready to go if that's the direction that we go."
The Saints have since listed Winston as doubtful and Thomas out on the official injury report. Also ruled out are guard Andrus Peat (concussion) and safety Marcus Maye (rib) while running back Alvin Kamara (rib) and wide receiver Jarvis Landry (ankle) are questionable.
For the Vikings, pass rusher Za'Darius Smith (knee) is questionable, while cornerback Andrew Booth (quad) is doubtful to play. Dalvin Cook, who missed Wednesday's practice with a shoulder injury, is off the injury report.
Winston sat out practices this week while dealing with a back injury that hindered him in last week's loss to the Carolina Panthers. Assuming Winston doesn't make a miraculous turnaround in the next day, Dalton will be in line to make his first start in a Saints jersey.
Allen said Winston didn't suffer a setback.
"I don't think so. I think just a little bit of the accumulation of the wear and tear," he said. "It's a long season. I don't think his body responded quite the way we anticipated over the first couple of days. We've rested him this week and we still have a couple of days, but we'll see."
Dalton looked solid in his preseason appearances, but facing a Vikings defense capable of getting after the quarterback is a different test. Taysom Hill is in line for the backup role, and the do-it-all threat could see additional snaps under center.
"Whatever happens, I know I'll be ready. This week, I've just gotten a little more practice time out there. However this thing goes, I'll be ready when I'm called," Dalton said. "For me, I had the whole spring while Jameis was rehabbing, and I think that was a great time for me to get to know these guys, be around them. … I feel really good about where we're at."
With Thomas out, more of the spotlight will fall on rookie Chris Olave, who has shined with Winston under center. The rookie should see a significant target share with Dalton at the helm, but we'll have to see if the generous amount of air yards towards Olave continues.
TEMPE — There has been no shortage of adversity for the Arizona Cardinals early on this season.
On the injury front, starters Rondale Moore (3), J.J. Watt (1) and Antonio Hamilton (3) are among those who have already missed games, while A.J. Green is trending toward out for Week 4.
Then there’s the slow starts, an aspect of the Cardinals’ current makeup they can’t seem to shake. Arizona has been outscored 31-0 by opponents in the first half through three weeks.
And while all three phases of the football team have looked disconnected through all but two quarters of play in 2022, the offense projected to carry the team has been unexpectedly rough, with quarterback Kyler Murray and head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s group ranking 21st in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average), according to Football Outsiders.
Outside of the Cardinals’ improbable comeback win over the Las Vegas Raiders in overtime, positives remain at a premium for the franchise ahead of a Week 4 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
The start hasn’t been anywhere close to last year when the Cardinals were undefeated and firing at all cylinders.
But maybe there’s a silver lining to it, especially after the team’s second-half-of-the-season implosion and ugly NFC Wild Card exit last year.
“I think the way that (the season has started) is going to turn out to be in our favor,” linebacker Dennis Gardeck said Tuesday.
“That kind of growth mindset of pressing, leaving no stone unturned, being able to constantly reevaluate from not a detached position but an area where you’re open-minded to whatever we can do to get better, we’re going to do and we’re going to correct it. We’re going to address it and we know it’s going to be better each and every week. I think that’s going to help us down the road.”
Maybe they have no choice, but head coach Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback Kyler Murray share the same sentiment.
How last season ended and the way this one began haven’t been lost on them.
And while Kingsbury and Murray aren’t ones to welcome all the adversity, they’d rather face it now with a chance to still right the ship than later on in the season when the margin for error is razor thin.
“It’s just a little bit of adversity. That’s never hurt anybody,” Murray said. “I think everyone in this room has felt adversity, everybody in the locker room has felt adversity. Otherwise, we probably wouldn’t be where we are. I’m not too much phased by it at all. I know the guys aren’t.
“Obviously, it feels ugly right now to feel the feeling of losing and stuff like that. But we definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel. We continue to work hard and get better.”
Series vs. Virginia Tech: VT leads 25-13-6
Series Streak: VT won last game
Last Meeting: 2021 (L, 10-17)
Last UNC Win: 2020 (W, 56-45)
NORTH CAROLINA
Record: 3-1 (0-0 ACC)
Head Coach: Mack Brown (Florida State, '74)
Overall Record: 268-140-1, 34th year
Record at UNC: 93-64-1, 14th year
VIRGINIA TECH
Record: 2-2 (1-0 ACC)
Head Coach: Brent Pry (Buffalo, '93)
Overall Record: 2-2, 1st year
Record at Virginia Tech: Same
BROADCAST INFO
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
ACCN: Dave O'Brien, play-by-play; Tim Hasselbeck, analyst; Kelsey Riggs, sideline
Tar Heel Sports Network: Jones Angell, play-by-play; Brian Simmons, analyst; Lee Pace, sideline
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM (109 or 203), App (966)
Website: A live radio broadcast of the Tar Heel Sports Network is available on UNC's official athletic website, GoHeels.com, as well as through the TuneIn app.
BELL TOWER WALK
Tar Heel fans of all ages are encouraged to welcome the team to the stadium on game day. While construction is ongoing during the 2022 season at the Kenan Football Center, the Carolina team buses will arrive between the Genome Sciences Building and the Sonja Haynes Stone Black Cultural Center two-and-a-half hours before kickoff. The team will march through the amphitheater to the front of the Kenan Football Center before entering the building.
TAR HEELS AND HOKIES
• Carolina and Virginia Tech meet for the 19th straight season on the football field in what turns out to be the ACC opener for the Tar Heels in 2022.
• UNC is 5-8-2 at home against Virginia Tech. That figure includes a 2-7 mark since the Hokies joined the Atlantic Coast Conference for the 2004 season.
• The last meeting in Chapel Hill occurred in 2020 and eighth-ranked Carolina beat No. 19 Virginia Tech 56-45 on Oct. 10. Michael Carter ran for 214 yards and two touchdowns, Sam Howell tossed three touchdowns, and UNC finished with its highest scoring output ever against the Hokies along with 656 total yards - the No. 2 total ever posted against Virginia Tech's defense.
• The series dates back to 1895 when the Tar Heels won 32-5 at a neutral site. In fact, 16 of the first 20 meetings were played at a neutral site with the other four played in Chapel Hill.
• The first meeting in Chapel Hill came in 1900, a 0-0 draw.
BROWN VS. VIRGINIA TECH
• Mack Brown is 2-2 all-time against Virginia Tech.
• Brown is 1-2 against the Hokies as the head coach of the Tar Heels, while at Tulane, Brown defeated Virginia Tech, 57-38, in 1987.
• Brown never faced Virginia Tech during his first stint as head coach at North Carolina, however, the two teams did square off in the Gator Bowl at the end of the 1997 season.
UP NEXT
• Carolina heads out on the road for a pair of league games at Miami on Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. on ESPN2, and at Duke on Oct. 15.
Sailors will start receiving a new two-piece, flame retardant uniform billed as the “primary at-sea” option before the end of 2022.
The Navy’s objective is to provide an “adaptable” uniform that can be worn in multiple working conditions, including surface ships, submarines and flight decks, but is also approved for use while commuting and off base, Fleet Forces Command spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Madie Hansen told Navy Times on Thursday.
The uniform, known as the 2-Piece Organizational Clothing uniform, or 2POC, was approved Monday and features a tri-fiber blend, flame resistant fabric, equivalent to the flame resistance found in the Improved Fire Retardant Variant uniform, according to a Fleet Forces Command internal message obtained by Navy Times.
Fleet Forces Command confirmed the authenticity of the internal message to Navy Times.
RELATED
The Navy is set to roll out the 2POC to sailors in November and December, starting with sailors assigned to ships in maintenance since it is an at-sea uniform, Hansen said.
Ships will distribute the organizational clothing to sailors free of charge, just as they were provided the Improved Fire Retardant Variant uniform, according to Hansen. The IFRV coveralls are still authorized for wear at-sea, although the 2POC will replace them as the primary option.
“Each sailor serving on board surface ships and submarines will be issued a minimum of two sets of 2POC as organization clothing, with an additional set upon deployment,” the Fleet Forces Command internal message said. “Units are authorized to continue ordering IFRVS until unit has been fully outfitted with 2POC.”
The uniform comes in blue for sailors E-6 and below, along with junior officers. A khaki version is available for E-7 sailors and above, as well as senior officers.
The black NWU fleece liner is approved for use with the 2POC, and sailors may wear command ball caps while wearing it. Additionally, sailors can pair it with flight deck jerseys, eliminating the need for commands to purchase separate flight deck pants. Sailors will wear brown undershirts with the 2POC, and a black rank tab for both blue and khaki options.
The uniform is authorized for commuting and other “normal” tasks, such as stops at child care, gas stations, and off-base shopping, unlike the IFVR uniform, and also is designed to provide options for sailors who don’t want to wear the coveralls, Hansen said.
Consumption of alcohol in the 2POCs off base is not authorized, but alcohol consumption in the garments are permitted on base with approval from regional commanders.
The Navy’s quest for a flame-retardant uniform like the 2POC started in 2012, when a report from the Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility in Natick, Massachusetts, found that the Type I Navy Working Uniform, known as “blueberries,” would “burn robustly until completely consumed” when exposed to an open flame. That prompted the Navy to introduce non-flammable options like the Fire Retardant Variant, the Improved Fire Retardant Variant, and the Type III Navy Working Uniform.
The so-called “blueberries” ultimately retired from the Fleet in 2019.
Williams had fun at media day on Monday with a “we’ll see” and a smile when asked about it then, a question that became even more of a thing after Jae Crowder and the Suns mutually agreed the veteran wouldn’t be at training camp on Sunday.
The head coach was answering a question about guard Landry Shamet and his role on the team, speaking to how Johnson’s move opens up space for the reserves to have more opportunities now that the Sixth Man of the Year finalist Johnson is in the starting five.
Johnson on Thursday noted he’s got a ton of familiarity with the other four starters already. He’s played a total of 239 minutes with that foursome in the last two seasons and has made 27 combined starts. He rattled off situations like his first training camp when Kelly Ourbe Jr. and Bridges were knicked up so he was running with the first unit as a rookie.
“It’s not completely new,” Johnson said. “It’s just getting acclimated to playing with that group full-time first unit. That’s the only change.”
Williams outlined Johnson’s game and the transition.
“He’s more than a shooter,” Williams said. “He’s got playmaking, he has the ability to be a connector because he’s a willing passer and his athletic ability is something most people don’t talk about. … Defensively is where I told him he has to draw the line in the sand, if you will.
“When he’s guarding smaller guys or if some of these dynamic guys that he’s gotta guard. Conversely, I think about those guys having to guard him and that is something that’s exciting when you think about how it could open up our offense.”
On that note, Williams said while it’s only been three practices, the overall goal is going to be having Bridges and Johnson control the flow of more possessions with the ball in their hands. That is something Suns fans were really calling for last regular season, and the limited amount of options on the ball bit the Suns in their postseason exit.
“The hope is he and Mikal can help out with offensive initiation,” Williams said of Johnson. “Those guys have the ability to facilitate and I just haven’t given them the chance. And we’ve talked about being comfortable with uncomfortable change. There’s going to be times where it doesn’t look great but I think that’s where they’re going to grow.
“Hopefully, as the season moves forward and we get to a place where we’re hitting our stride and moving into the playoffs hopefully those guys are more comfortable because we let them explore and make mistakes and figure some things out. But they both have the capability to expand our offense that way. And that part is exciting when you think about those opportunities.”
Williams said the offense has always been a bit of a more free-flowing system where players can play and suggest things that eventually become plays, as the philosophy is more of “making plays not running plays.” He said they’ve got enough in as it is right now but wrinkles can develop over the course of the season with Johnson in mind. They’ll run their normal stuff to start and then figure out other ways to go about it.
One of those new dynamics appeased point guard Chris Paul, who is glad he’s not bringing the ball up every possession anymore. We saw Crowder doing a lot more of that in the playoffs last year.
Johnson called rebounding and physicality a “huge focus” for him this year, a part of Crowder’s game Crowder specialized in. Crowder’s rebounding rate wasn’t all that high by any means but he had 21 regular season games and seven more in the postseason the last two years when he grabbed at least eight. There will be nights and matchups when Johnson has to get after it.
Johnson wants to be much better at rebounding than he has in the past. Johnson referenced how his coaches at the University of North Carolina used to preach rebounding to him, so he’s going to give Roy Williams and other coaches a call to get hyped up about that part of his game.
He has told us previously that he also gets constant feedback from his family, and his mom is the one that gets on him about crashing the glass.
So how many does she want to see Johnson grab a game as a starter?
“Mom wants 10! Mom’s greedy! Mom wants a lot!” he said.
One of the better storylines early on this season for the Detroit Lions is the play of cornerback Jeff Okudah. Limited by injuries his first two seasons in the league, including an Achilles injury that wiped away nearly his entire 2021 season, Okudah grinded through the hard times knowing brighter days were ahead.
Now healthy, Okudah is showing us why he was considered one of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft, ultimately going No. 3 overall to Detroit.
Through three games, Okudah has played 91 percent of the snaps on defense and is allowing just 36 yards per game with no touchdowns in his coverage area. Opposing quarterbacks have a 74.6 passer rating when throwing at him in three games. He held Vikings All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson to two receptions for nine yards when matched up across from him last week.
"I'm definitely proud of where I'm at right now," Okudah said this week.
But it's another week and another tough matchup for Okudah and the Lions secondary with Seattle and the terrific receiving duo of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett coming to town.
Speaking of Metcalf, he was asked about Okudah this week and said this: "There's a safety over the top of him, so he's really not locking people down. But he's a good corner."
I'm sure that will find its way to Okudah's ears. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was asked about those comments on Thursday.
DOVER, DE (Sept. 29, 2022) – October 2 marks the official start of the 2022-2023 influenza (flu) season. The flu vaccine plays a pivotal role in helping to avoid significant flu-related illnesses, including hospitalization and death. The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) believes it is vital for Delawareans to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting the flu vaccine as soon as possible, particularly given the ongoing battle against COVID-19 and a potentially active flu season ahead. The U.S. often looks to the experience of Australia and New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere during their flu season in the summer as a possible signal of what we might face. This year, the countries had a particularly active flu season.
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. Children younger than 5, older adults, pregnant women, and those with chronic underlying medical conditions are most at risk for complications from the flu and are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated now. DPH also urges vaccination for those who live or work with infants under 6 months of age and those who live or work in congregant settings such as long-term care and correctional facilities. DPH wants the public to know that the flu vaccine can be administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine, which includes the new bivalent booster.
DPH is expanding its data collection and presentation capabilities this year. For the first time, in a pilot of approximately 20 Influenza-Like Illness Network (ILI Net) Providers statewide, DPH will collect and report the results of rapid flu test results. In the past, DPH has reported only laboratory-confirmed cases, thereby limiting the picture of the actual incidence of flu in Delaware for a given flu season. Since DPH is increasing the amount of data it collects and shares, comparing the data with that of past years should be done cautiously. In addition to collecting rapid flu test results, DPH will begin collecting information on other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to get an expanded view of the respiratory viruses circulating during the influenza season. Later in October, DPH will make flu data available on the My Healthy Community data portal, much like it does for COVID-19. Data will still be updated weekly as in the past, but information related to flu vaccination rates in the state will be provided for the first time.
“The flu remains a serious health threat and we are already seeing influenza starting to circulate in advance of the official start of the season next week,” said Interim DPH Director Dr. Rick Hong. “The flu is contagious and has the ability to cause serious illness and even death. The vaccine is your best shot at reducing your risk of ending up in the hospital or worse. Despite recent decreases in COVID-19 cases, hospitals are still under strain, and Delawareans should continue to take steps to prevent emergency hospital visits, including getting the annual flu vaccine.”
Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies against influenza virus infection to develop in the body, it is crucial to get vaccinated as early as possible to give your body time to build immunity. Getting the flu vaccine now will also protect people during the entire flu season. Find information about the flu and where to get it at flu.delaware.gov.
Flu vaccines are available at pharmacies (including in grocery stores), participating medical provider offices, Federally Qualified Health Centers (for their patients), and Division of Public Health clinics. While DPH no longer holds mass community flu clinics, it is offering flu vaccines at community-based locations where the DPH mobile units also provide additional health services.
Flu symptoms come on suddenly and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills, and fatigue. Some signs and symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, including fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, and body aches, chills, and fatigue. Testing can effectively help you determine which illness you have. Children, older adults, and those with chronic underlying medical conditions are most at risk for complications from the flu and are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated now.
Those sick with the flu should stay home from work, school, and other gatherings and not return until they have been free of fever – with a temperature less than 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), without the use of fever-reducing medications – for at least 24 hours.
In addition, people with flu symptoms should avoid close contact with people in the household and stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other clear liquids. Over-the-counter medicines can provide symptom relief, but if you suspect you have influenza, call your doctor as they may decide to provide antiviral medications to help hasten recovery and prevent serious complications. Contacting your primary care provider is particularly important for those who feel very sick, are pregnant, or have chronic medical conditions.
DPH will again share flu-related messaging through radio, print, and social media messaging and distribute a toolkit to schools, community-based organizations, and medical providers to help encourage flu vaccination through their networks.
For more information about the flu and where to get vaccinated, visit flu.delaware.gov or call 1-800-282-8672.
###
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind, or speech-disabled can contact DPH by first dialing 711 using specialized devices (i.e., TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free; to learn more about how it works, visit delawarerelay.com.
DOVER, DE (Sept. 29, 2022) – October 2 marks the official start of the 2022-2023 influenza (flu) season. The flu vaccine plays a pivotal role in helping to avoid significant flu-related illnesses, including hospitalization and death. The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) believes it is vital for Delawareans to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting the flu vaccine as soon as possible, particularly given the ongoing battle against COVID-19 and a potentially active flu season ahead. The U.S. often looks to the experience of Australia and New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere during their flu season in the summer as a possible signal of what we might face. This year, the countries had a particularly active flu season.
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. Children younger than 5, older adults, pregnant women, and those with chronic underlying medical conditions are most at risk for complications from the flu and are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated now. DPH also urges vaccination for those who live or work with infants under 6 months of age and those who live or work in congregant settings such as long-term care and correctional facilities. DPH wants the public to know that the flu vaccine can be administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine, which includes the new bivalent booster.
DPH is expanding its data collection and presentation capabilities this year. For the first time, in a pilot of approximately 20 Influenza-Like Illness Network (ILI Net) Providers statewide, DPH will collect and report the results of rapid flu test results. In the past, DPH has reported only laboratory-confirmed cases, thereby limiting the picture of the actual incidence of flu in Delaware for a given flu season. Since DPH is increasing the amount of data it collects and shares, comparing the data with that of past years should be done cautiously. In addition to collecting rapid flu test results, DPH will begin collecting information on other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to get an expanded view of the respiratory viruses circulating during the influenza season. Later in October, DPH will make flu data available on the My Healthy Community data portal, much like it does for COVID-19. Data will still be updated weekly as in the past, but information related to flu vaccination rates in the state will be provided for the first time.
“The flu remains a serious health threat and we are already seeing influenza starting to circulate in advance of the official start of the season next week,” said Interim DPH Director Dr. Rick Hong. “The flu is contagious and has the ability to cause serious illness and even death. The vaccine is your best shot at reducing your risk of ending up in the hospital or worse. Despite recent decreases in COVID-19 cases, hospitals are still under strain, and Delawareans should continue to take steps to prevent emergency hospital visits, including getting the annual flu vaccine.”
Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies against influenza virus infection to develop in the body, it is crucial to get vaccinated as early as possible to give your body time to build immunity. Getting the flu vaccine now will also protect people during the entire flu season. Find information about the flu and where to get it at flu.delaware.gov.
Flu vaccines are available at pharmacies (including in grocery stores), participating medical provider offices, Federally Qualified Health Centers (for their patients), and Division of Public Health clinics. While DPH no longer holds mass community flu clinics, it is offering flu vaccines at community-based locations where the DPH mobile units also provide additional health services.
Flu symptoms come on suddenly and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills, and fatigue. Some signs and symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, including fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, and body aches, chills, and fatigue. Testing can effectively help you determine which illness you have. Children, older adults, and those with chronic underlying medical conditions are most at risk for complications from the flu and are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated now.
Those sick with the flu should stay home from work, school, and other gatherings and not return until they have been free of fever – with a temperature less than 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), without the use of fever-reducing medications – for at least 24 hours.
In addition, people with flu symptoms should avoid close contact with people in the household and stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other clear liquids. Over-the-counter medicines can provide symptom relief, but if you suspect you have influenza, call your doctor as they may decide to provide antiviral medications to help hasten recovery and prevent serious complications. Contacting your primary care provider is particularly important for those who feel very sick, are pregnant, or have chronic medical conditions.
DPH will again share flu-related messaging through radio, print, and social media messaging and distribute a toolkit to schools, community-based organizations, and medical providers to help encourage flu vaccination through their networks.
For more information about the flu and where to get vaccinated, visit flu.delaware.gov or call 1-800-282-8672.
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The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind, or speech-disabled can contact DPH by first dialing 711 using specialized devices (i.e., TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free; to learn more about how it works, visit delawarerelay.com.
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