With flu season poised to collide with coronavirus, health officials in Washington say vaccination is more important than ever

In a pandemic era rife with unknowns, here’s another one: What happens when flu season collides with the novel coronavirus pandemic?

The optimistic scenario says shuttered schools and measures like mask wearing and social distancing will keep influenza in check along with COVID-19.

But there’s a bleaker possibility that has health officials pushing for unprecedented levels of flu vaccination this fall.