Most everyone catches a respiratory illness at some point, but that doesn’t mean you should be nonchalant about protection. Vaccines for COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) help keep you, your loved ones, and acquaintances as healthy as possible.
These vaccines also guard against severe symptoms and complications, should you acquire the virus.
Our expert team at Bethel Family Medicine in Brockton, Massachusetts, offers family medicine services, including vaccines. We can also assess you and loved ones for viruses and recommend appropriate treatment when one sets in.
Here’s a look at three important vaccines that provide high levels of protection from viruses that tend to spike during the fall and winter.
COVID vaccines have saved an estimated 14.4 million-plus deaths in the United States. And while the global pandemic status is over, much thanks to vaccinations, the virus continues to readily spread.
Getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine this fall lowers your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the virus. Three vaccines are available in the US, including Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax, all of which bring high levels of protection.
Because COVID vaccine protection wanes over time and the virus changes, you should get your next shot even if you had one last year. A fall COVID vaccine is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older.
Similar to COVID vaccines, flu shots are updated each year based on the prevalence of various influenza viruses in circulation. For 2024-25, all flu vaccines offer protection against H1N1, H3N2, and B/Victoria lineage strains.
Also like COVID shots, everyone age 6 months and older should be vaccinated against the flu. And while September and October are typically ideal months to get your flu shot, winter months are not too late.
RSV is a respiratory virus that spreads along with COVID-19 and influenza throughout the fall and winter. Not everyone needs an RSV vaccine, but certain populations are especially vulnerable to RSV and its complications, like bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
Given these risks, adults age 75 and older should be vaccinated for RSV. The vaccine is also recommended for people 60-74 years old who have an increased risk of severe symptoms because of a weakened immune system or a chronic condition, such as heart disease or diabetes.
Living in a nursing home or care facility also raises your risk for RSV, making the vaccine quite helpful.
To get you and your family up to date on your annual vaccines, call our office today. You can also email us through our website.
