Make a Plan to Get Vaccinated this Respiratory Illness Season
Respiratory vaccines are the best tool to protect yourself, family, and community from respiratory viruses
As respiratory season approaches, public health officials encourage you to protect yourself and your family by getting updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. You can get both vaccines for as long as the diseases are spreading. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) also recommends a single-dose respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for older adults, pregnant people, and an RSV immunization for infants. Vaccines are safe and effective and are the best way to protect against serious respiratory disease and disruptions this respiratory season.
“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect ourselves and loved ones from respiratory illnesses and reduce risk of severe disease. It is never too late in the season to get vaccinated,” said Mollie Olson of Jackson County Public Health. “Jackson County residents should make a plan to stay up to date on the recommended vaccines for this respiratory season.”
Everyone ages 6 months and older is recommended to get an updated flu and COVID-19 vaccine. Getting a flu and COVID-19 vaccine is especially important for people at higher risk for serious disease complications, including people who are pregnant, young children, people 65 years and older, especially those living in group settings, and people with certain medical conditions, such as asthma or heart disease.
Adults aged 75 and older are recommended to get an RSV vaccine. Adults aged 60-74 can also receive the RSV vaccine if they have an increased risk of RSV. The RSV vaccine is not a yearly vaccine so those who have already received the RSV vaccine last year do not need to receive another dose this year. The RSV vaccine can protect older adults against serious RSV complications, especially those living in group settings.
Pregnant people can receive an RSV vaccine between 32 weeks and 36 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. The RSV vaccine can protect the baby from severe RSV for up to six months after they are born. For infants, the CDC recommends receiving one dose of nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody, to prevent severe illness from RSV. Infants younger than 8 months and infants 8-19 months with an increased risk of RSV can receive the antibody. The antibody is administered to infants October through March. The RSV treatment can protect infants from hospitalization and serious disease. The CDC recommends maternal vaccination or infant immunization.
Health care providers in Jackson County can help you get vaccinated in a safe and convenient way. You can get your flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccine (if eligible) at the same time. If you or your child are eligible for an RSV vaccine or immunization, you can get an RSV vaccine at your doctor’s office or local pharmacy. Vaccines.gov can also provide a flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccine location near you.
Please check with your health insurance plan about any costs associated with each vaccine. The Vaccine for Adults Program offers free or low-cost flu shots for eligible adults.
Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) offers new data tools this season to help keep Wisconsinites informed and safe. DHS has new respiratory illness data webpages with information on overall respiratory activity, emergency department data, and laboratory testing data. DHS also offers new immunization data dashboards for COVID-19, flu, and RSV for Wisconsin residents.
Vaccination is one of the best ways to stay healthy and prevent getting sick with respiratory illnesses like the flu, COVID-19, and RSV. It is never too late to get vaccinated. You can safely get your updated flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines (if eligible) this respiratory season. Call a health care provider today to make vaccine appointments for yourself and your family.
Jackson County: Healthy People, Strong Community.