You May Need Two Shots, or Three, to Protect Your Health this Fall and Winter
10/17/2023
Gadsden, AL – To protect yourself and those you love when respiratory viruses are circulating this fall and winter, getting vaccinated against both the flu and COVID-19 will be important. Individuals who are age 60 or older may also need to get vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
These three viral, respiratory illnesses are active this year and hospital admissions for COVID are already starting to increase around the country. Here in Etowah County, Gadsden Regional Medical Center has already begun seeing more people who need inpatient care for their COVID-19 symptoms. Across our state, the numbers of new COVID-19 hospital admissions were 4.51 per 100,000 in the past week.
Gadsden Regional Medical Center is encouraging community members to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that everyone 6 months or older get both flu and updated COVID shots this year to bolster immune defenses as the weather turns colder.
“Vaccinations stimulate the body’s immune system to minimize your chances of developing a severe illness that requires hospitalization,” said Jonathan Mikhail, M.D., family practice physician with Gadsden Family Practice. “In addition to helping ourselves, immunization can also slow the spread of viruses to the more vulnerable members of our community.”
Those at the highest risk of serious illness from flu or COVID include babies and toddlers, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
People ages 60 years and older should talk to their healthcare provider about whether RSV vaccination is right for them as well. Older adults, adults with chronic heart or lung disease, with weakened immune systems or living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities are at the highest risk for RSV illness.
Dr. Mikhail continues, “Anyone can get sick from a respiratory virus but vaccination and preventive actions such as avoiding close contact with people who are sick, covering your coughs and sneezes and frequent hand-washing with soap and water are the best steps you can take to minimize your risk.”
As for when to get your shots, those who are in a high risk group or who have not had COVID in the last two months can get vaccinated right away. If you plan to travel for the holidays, you might push your vaccination out to late October or early November to maximize the period in which the induced protection is still high.
Clinical experts say it’s safe to get both the flu and COVID shots at the same appointment and the vaccines will be effective in boosting your immune system. Short-term side effects may include soreness at the injection site, headaches, fatigue or fever, but they should pass quickly.
If you need to find a primary care provider, visit bit.ly/GPCBookNow or call 877-MyNewPCP.
Sources
CDC.gov – Influenza (Flu)
CDC.gov – COVID Data Tracker
CDC Newsroom – CDC Recommends Updated COVID-19 Vaccine for Fall/Winter Virus Season, September 12, 2023
KFF Health News – Why the CDC Has Recommended New COVID Boosters for All, September 13, 2023
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