Tis the Season for Flu, RSV, and COVID

Vaccination Season is Here

While seasonal flu, COVID, and respiratory infection levels are currently low to moderate nationwide, medical experts expect them to increase in the coming weeks, thanks to holiday gatherings, travel, and simply spending more time indoors.

This is why NOW is the time to get vaccinated. 

According to the CDC, respiratory viruses are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States every year. In addition to the virus that causes COVID-19, there are many other types of respiratory viruses, including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The good news is that you can protect yourself and others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses by getting vaccinated.

Vaccines are currently available at many pharmacies and through your healthcare provider’s office. A simple shot provides the necessary antibodies to fight off infection or make it less severe.

Here’s a look at the current Fall and Winter Immunization recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines

• ​Everyone 6 months and older

RSV Immunization to Protect Babies

• Vaccine | Pregnant parents during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy during RSV season

• Monoclonal Antibodies | Babies entering or born during RSV season

RSV Vaccine for Older Adults 

• People ages 60 and over at high risk of severe RSV

• Everyone ages 75 and older

• Currently, older adults only need to get the RSV vaccine once; not annually

A Word About Bird Flu

Over the past eight months, 58 cases of H5N1 bird flu, a type of avian influenza, have been confirmed in the U.S. While H5N1 is considered a dangerous pathogen, with a case fatality rate of around 50%, none of the infected Americans has required hospitalization. The majority of those infected work in close contact with dairy cattle and poultry flocks with infection likely occurring by the virus entering a person's eyes, nose, or mouth, or being inhaled.

Even though the virus can be passed from mammal to mammal, there currently is no evidence of human-to-human contamination. However, recent research from the National Institutes of Health found the H5N1 bird flu virus could be just one mutation away from being able to spread amongst humans.

While there’s no need to panic, it is important to stay current on any news and alerts related to bird flu. For the latest information and recommendations regarding bird flu from the CDC, click here.

In addition, the CDC recommends the following to avoid infection:

• Avoid consuming or coming into contact with unpasteurized dairy products.

• Wash your hands with soap and water after handling wild birds, poultry, and livestock. 

• Get tested if you develop flu-like symptoms.

• Stay home when sick, especially with fever and cough.

• Get your seasonal flu vaccine.

Dr. Marie George, MD is an Infectious Disease Specialist at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT, and a member of the Travel Clinic team at the hospital.