JEFFERSON CITY – In a typical year, more than 100,000 Missourians of all ages become sick from the flu, with some becoming seriously ill, leading state health officials to urge residents to get the flu vaccine by the end of October. “We always put individual patients first, and because of that, we are concerned that fewer than half of Missouri adults typically get a flu vaccine. This year, we want to do better. Do it for yourself or do it to protect your loved ones,” Dr. Randall Williams said. Williams directs the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, or DHSS. “One measure you can take to protect yourself during this time of COVID-19 is to get a flu vaccine,” he said. Flu and COVID-19 symptoms overlap significantly. Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. How having COVID-19 and the flu at the same time might affect people is unknown,…