MISSION, KS — December 16, 2024 — (NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE) — As folks put together to assemble with household and buddies this vacation season, it’s essential to consider well being and security.
“With the vacations simply across the nook, now’s the right time to consider how one can assist shield your self from severe sickness from flu, COVID-19 and RSV – and help your family members in doing the identical,” stated Dr. Rachel Levine, assistant secretary for well being on the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS). “Vaccination is a crucial step in having a contented and wholesome celebration.”
Whereas making ready for vacation festivities, preserve these suggestions in thoughts to assist shield your self from extreme flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
Flu
Flu season often peaks through the winter months, so now is a superb time to get the 2024-25 flu vaccine. It’s really useful for folks 6 months and older to decrease their danger of an infection or severe sickness from the flu. In actual fact, individuals who skipped their flu shot final yr had been twice as more likely to want medical assist for the flu. The very best time to get vaccinated is not less than a few weeks earlier than a vacation gathering. However getting vaccinated later within the season can nonetheless assist. Encourage your loved ones and buddies to get the flu vaccine, too. Collectively you possibly can create safer vacation celebrations.
COVID-19
Getting vaccinated towards COVID-19 can also be essential for everybody ages 6 months and older. The up to date COVID-19 vaccines supply one of the best safety towards severe sickness from the virus, particularly for these at greater danger. This consists of folks with sure well being situations or older adults, which can embody mother and father, grandparents and nice aunts or uncles. By getting vaccinated, folks of all ages can decrease their danger of getting severely sick. In actual fact, younger adults are at greater danger of creating Lengthy COVID than older adults. Nonetheless, staying updated in your COVID-19 vaccines lowers your danger of Lengthy COVID, too.
RSV
RSV might be particularly dangerous for older adults and infants. That’s why everybody 75 and older, folks 60-74 with sure well being situations or who stay in a nursing residence and pregnant folks ought to get the RSV vaccine. Pregnant folks ought to get the RSV vaccine at 32-36 weeks of being pregnant to assist shield their newborns from extreme RSV throughout their first six months of life.
As you put together for the vacations, keep in mind that prevention is one of the best ways to maintain from getting severely sick from flu, COVID-19 and RSV. By getting vaccinated now, you possibly can benefit from the vacation season with higher confidence and fewer danger of lacking time collectively. Being vaccinated helps preserve your signs milder in case you get contaminated after vaccination so you are able to do the belongings you wish to do with much less danger of spreading an infection.
Discuss together with your physician about which vaccines are best for you in addition to for any family members you assist take care of. Go to cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore for extra data on vaccines, or go to vaccines.gov to get began.
The consequences of Flu, COVID-19 and RSV on totally different populations
People who find themselves Black, Hispanic or who stay in rural areas could also be at greater danger of extreme sickness from flu, COVID-19 and RSV than others. Getting vaccinated is one of the best safety from getting severely sick from these viruses. In keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC):
- Final flu season, Black adults had been greater than twice as probably as white adults to be hospitalized for flu.
- Final flu season, Hispanic adults had been extra probably than white adults to be hospitalized for flu.
- One in 3 adults dwelling in rural areas have by no means been vaccinated towards COVID-19. For folks dwelling in rural areas, well being providers could also be distant. That may imply it takes some planning to get vaccinated. However being removed from medical care additionally means it’s much more essential to decrease your danger of significant sickness by getting vaccinated.
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Supply: United States Division of Well being and Human Providers
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