Health leaders said getting your vaccination is the most important thing people can do to stay ahead of sicknesses.

ROANOKE, Va. – In their most recent reporting, the Virginia Department of Health is not showing any influenza activity across the Commonwealth. Last year at this time there was widespread activity in the state, and doctors are crediting the slow spread to coronavirus safeguards. Dr. Baffoe-Bonnie says symptoms are similar between the two with some people experiencing no symptoms at all while infected with COVID-19. However, the things many Americans have grown accustomed to thanks to the coronavirus pandemic are also helping slow the spread: handwashing, social distancing and mask-wearing. “At this point, vaccine uptake for influenza vaccine has been higher than in typical years,” stated Dr. Cynthia Morrow, Roanoke City & Allegheny Health District.