CDC: Get COVID, Flu, RSV Vaccines Before Travel

Final winter, america skilled a “tripledemic” of those three airborne respiratory viruses, leading to a spike in hospitalizations and deaths among both children and adults. And this 12 months, some doctors fear a similar triple-whammy surge. However taking motion now could be one of the best ways to guard your self and your family members.

“We’re two weeks [away] from Thanksgiving, and now could be the proper time for everybody to guard themselves,” says Mandy Cohen, MD, director of the CDC. “Each winter season, we see extra viruses circulating, and sadly, these viruses make folks very sick, [and they can] find yourself within the hospital, and sadly, even die.”

“We’re two weeks [away] from Thanksgiving, and now could be the proper time for everybody to guard themselves.” —Mandy Cohen, MD, director of the CDC

We could also be practically 4 years away from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, however Dr. Cohen says that the virus stays extremely prevalent, and given what we all know now in regards to the potential for contracting long COVID and experiencing lingering well being penalties from an infection, it is nonetheless necessary to take all of the precautions you may to keep away from the virus.

Meaning getting vaccinated for COVID-19 in addition to the flu, and for these eligible, RSV, as quickly as attainable (and particularly earlier than doing any Thanksgiving or vacation journey). Beneath, you may discover all the things you should learn about eligibility for the COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines, how one can get them, potential unwanted effects, and different ideas from the CDC for staying wholesome.

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Who ought to get the COVID-19 and flu vaccines?

The CDC recommends that everybody older than six months get this 12 months’s flu vaccine and everybody 5 years and older get one dose of the up to date COVID-19 vaccine (even should you had earlier COVID-19 pictures, assuming they had been earlier than September 12, 2023). Any of the present choices in the marketplace for the COVID-19 vaccine—Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax—will fulfill this requirement.

One exception to this rule is should you had COVID-19 just lately; the CDC suggests delaying your up to date vaccine by three months from the date whenever you examined constructive, given reinfection is unlikely within the few weeks instantly following an infection.

Youngsters who’re between six months and 4 years of age might have extra doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to rise up thus far, and anybody who’s both reasonably or severely immunocompromised may want further doses of the up to date vaccine, so if that is you, it is necessary to examine in together with your physician.

Who ought to get the RSV vaccine?

In keeping with the CDC, adults over 60 years outdated and people who find themselves 32 to 36 weeks pregnant ought to get the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. (To be clear, those that don’t fall in these specific teams aren’t eligible for the RSV vaccine and mustn’t get it.) RSV is a extremely contagious flu-like situation that may be significantly harmful for weak populations, together with the very outdated and the very younger.

“For the primary time, we have now safety for our infants in opposition to RSV,” says Dr. Cohen, who stresses the significance of vaccination for anybody in these eligible teams. “Should you’re pregnant, there is a vaccine for you should you’re between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant, and we have now an antibody shot that we may give to infants below the age of eight months that may shield them straight in opposition to RSV.”

In keeping with the CDC, RSV kills an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 older adults and 100,000 to 200,000 infants every year. Final fall, america skilled a dramatic RSV surge¹ that was pushed by two strains of the virus, RSV-A and RSV-B. It is thought that lack of publicity to the everyday seasonal viruses within the years of COVID-19 quarantines and lockdowns could have triggered this surge, which once more, occurred alongside an increase in instances of each COVID-19 and the flu, placing an immense pressure on hospitals. Getting the RSV vaccine, explains Dr. Cohen, may also help stop a repeat of final 12 months’s spike, and probably save hundreds of lives within the course of.

Can I get 2 or 3 of the vaccines on the identical time?

Should you’re wanting to avoid wasting time on the physician’s workplace, Dr. Cohen says there’s no threat concerned with getting any mixture of the COVID-19, RSV, and/or flu vaccines directly. There isn’t a minimal ready interval you will need to adhere to between every vaccine, based on the CDC.

That stated, you could wish to seek the advice of together with your physician forward of time to debate your choices, as getting a number of pictures in a single fell swoop might probably heighten the unwanted effects of every; one 2022 examine discovered that folks had been barely extra prone to expertise unwanted effects when getting the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time², and CDC scientific trials discovered that those that received the RSV and flu vaccines at the same time skilled barely extra unwanted effects than those that received them individually. Regardless of this, the CDC reviews that getting all three vaccinations on the identical time is, once more, protected and efficacious.

“You probably have the power to unfold them out, [and] you wish to do this, that is completely nice,” says Dr. Cohen. “You wish to get them collectively? Additionally nice. It is actually extra about what works to your schedule.”

What are the unwanted effects of the COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines?

Unwanted side effects of the COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines fluctuate from individual to individual, however for many sufferers, the signs are gentle to average. “The most typical unwanted effects that we’re seeing from these vaccines are ache on the web site of the injection, just a little arm soreness, and a little bit of achiness or fatigue that often goes away with Tylenol or ibuprofen,” says Dr. Cohen.

Whereas there’s definitely some threat of extra extreme unwanted effects (like nausea, chills, and fever), Dr. Cohen says that these opposed reactions pale compared to the way you’d really feel after contracting RSV, the flu, or COVID-19, and are sometimes short-lived.

“The dangers of what might occur to you if you do not get vaccinated are a lot worse, so we wish to ensure that everybody’s getting protected,” says Dr. Cohen.

4 ideas from the CDC to remain wholesome this season (past getting vaccinated)

1. Keep dwelling should you’re sick

In keeping with Dr. Cohen, top-of-the-line methods to maintain your family members from getting sick is by limiting your contact with them whereas you’re sick. Certain, it sucks to overlook out on enjoyable outings and gatherings, however with correct relaxation, therapy, and isolation, you’ll be again in your toes sooner, and also you received’t threat getting your loved ones sick within the course of. “You do not wish to deliver germs to your loved ones, significantly should you’re gathering with grandparents or different older adults,” says Dr. Cohen.

Should you start to really feel any chilly, flu, or COVID-19 signs , Dr. Cohen suggests getting examined for COVID-19 as quickly as attainable. “Testing is absolutely necessary [in order] to get you entry to the therapy that might prevent from going into the hospital,” says Dr. Cohen.

You may get examined for COVID-19 free of charge via the CDC’s Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program. Use this testing center locator to discover a free testing location near your private home, or order as much as 4 free at-home self-testing kits from the federal authorities.

2. Masks up

Carrying face masks won’t be the norm anymore, however based on Dr. Cohen, they’re nonetheless one of the best type of private safety in opposition to airborne ailments. Face coverings that totally cowl your nostril and mouth can protect you from saliva droplets and sprays (yuck!) you can in any other case inhale when in shut proximity to others.

“COVID-19, flu, and RSV are respiratory viruses and unfold via the air,” explains Dr. Cohen. “Keep in mind—masks do work to guard you from what is likely to be circulating in your airspace.”

3. Wash your arms

To stop hand-to-hand transmission of respiratory (and diarrheal) viruses, the CDC recommends correctly washing your arms regularly all through the day. You’ll be able to simply catch COVID-19, RSV, and the flu by touching your eyes, nostril, and mouth with unwashed arms which have come into contact with any of those viruses.

Whereas hand sanitizer does scale back the variety of germs in your arms, it doesn’t eliminate all forms of germs, based on the CDC. Per the CDC’s handwashing guidelines, be sure you wash your arms earlier than, throughout, and after cooking; earlier than and after consuming; after blowing your nostril or sneezing; earlier than and after coming into contact with somebody who’s sick; and naturally, after utilizing the bathroom. Scrub up with cleaning soap and water for not less than 20 seconds, or so long as it takes to sing “Completely satisfied Birthday.”

4. Journey properly

Whereas airborne diseases run rampant this time of 12 months, Dr. Cohen says you can hold your vacation journey plans—simply be conscious of your contact with others. Getting vaccinated, masking up when attainable, and washing your arms regularly will significantly scale back your possibilities of getting sick whereas touring.

“All of us can [still] collect with our associates and journey,” says Dr. Cohen. “I plan to journey this Thanksgiving, however we’re utilizing layers of safety. It is why I received vaccinated, my children received vaccinated, [and] my husband’s vaccinated.”

Adhering to those wholesome practices can hold you—and your family members—protected all through the vacation season. “All of us wish to have a cheerful and wholesome vacation season with Thanksgiving being simply two weeks away,” says Dr. Cohen. “We all know people are gathering indoors, and that is what viruses like. They like to maneuver round with us, so we have to use the instruments that we have now obtainable to guard ourselves.”