Jason Alexander contracted the flu while on stage in Jerome Robbins’ Broadway musical in 1989.
It turns out that he nearly lost out on a Tony award that year by refusing to receive the flu shot.
Alexander, who has asthma and is best known for playing George Costanza in Seinfeld, claims that he missed six performances because his sickness evolved into bronchitis. “I’ll never forget how the producers told me to get back on stage, no matter how ill I was. I battled bronchitis for a full week while attempting to perform a physically demanding show.
Alexander went on to win the Tony, but he never skipped another flu vaccine. He is taking part in a new flu campaign thanks to a collaboration between the American Nurses Association and the manufacturer of the flu vaccine, Sanofi, in part because of that experience.
The advertising campaign, “Not Today, Flu,” stars Alexander pleading with viewers to be immunised and tell their loved ones to do the same.
This is even more important given that flu season is currently in full gear and experts are now cautioning of a “tridemic” this winter due to the relaxation of COVID-19 limitations. According to the CDC, the flu season is starting off strong and early this year. The agency’s surveillance network received reports of 443 flu-related hospitalizations between October 1 and October 22, which is the most hospitalizations reported at this point in the season in ten years.
The past two years have seen a lot of discussion regarding vaccinations, and Alexander says he can see why some individuals choose to avoid or postpone getting shots. But if individuals don’t get vaccinated, the medical profession is worried that this could be a very bad flu season.
Getting vaccinated is intended to prevent hospitalisation and respiratory problems.
Alexander appears to have some knowledge of hospital life. Because his mother worked as a nurse, he frequently came into contact with sick people who were trying to get well.
He claims, “I grew up near the hospital where she worked. “There, I did laundry and worked as a dishwasher. I’m a functional idiot, therefore I chose this field instead of the medical one, which would have made my mother extremely happy.
Alexander’s final advice is simple: Get your shot as soon as you can, especially with the holiday season rapidly approaching.
We’ve lost some of our natural protection to the virus because of the pandemic and everyone’s isolation from one another, claims Alexander. “People may be gathering with loved ones for the first time this holiday season since the outbreak started. Why throw that off because you have the flu and are bedridden?
Furthermore, the flu shot is secure.
There are no flu shot horror stories, he claims. It has been around for all of your life, it has undergone extensive testing, and it unquestionably won’t cause keys to stick to your forehead.
Visit Not Today Flu to find a flu shot near you.
