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Respiratory virus season is here in the United States, and health officials say October is the best time to get vaccinated.
Vaccines for coronavirus, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus are now available. Respiratory virus seasons tend to peak from December to March, but getting vaccinated in the fall provides protection throughout the season.
Janet Hamilton, executive director of the State Council and Territorial Epidemiologists, said it takes about two weeks for the body to mount a full immune response after vaccination, but protection can last for months.
The United States is already experiencing high levels of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), and the flu will soon be circulating.
“We’re still trying to understand exactly what a new normal respiratory disease season will look like, but we’re already seeing a lot of respiratory disease activity in many parts of the country,” Hamilton said. is being seen,” he said. “We strongly encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts this year’s respiratory disease season will be similar to last year’s, which at its peak resulted in more than 20 hospitalizations per 100,000 people per week, and far worse than in pre-pandemic years. I would. At least 200 children died from the flu during the 2023-24 season, more than any other year on record, and most were not vaccinated, according to the CDC.
However, there is potential for a reduction in the disease burden, and vaccination rates will be a key factor in that trajectory.
“The fall respiratory disease vaccines are a real game changer,” Hamilton said. “They are amazingly good at suppressing severe infections and keeping people out of the hospital, as well as minimizing the amount of time they spend sick and away from work.”
Here’s what you need to know about the vaccines available to protect yourself this season.
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get the coronavirus vaccine this season to stay up-to-date. Viruses are continually evolving, and new versions of vaccines may provide better protection against severe disease by targeting newer variants.
Multiple options are available. Moderna and Pfizer’s mRNA vaccines have been updated to target KP.2, one of the so-called FLiRT variants that has been dominant in the United States since May. These vaccines are for people over 6 months of age. A more traditional protein vaccine from Novavax is also available, but it targets JN.1, a variant that is still circulating but is less prominent than it was a few months ago. The Novavax vaccine is only approved for people 12 years of age and older.
We don’t know how effective these vaccines actually are. But despite the emergence of new variants, coronavirus vaccines were 54% effective in protecting against symptomatic infection last season, according to CDC data.
The CDC also recommends seasonal influenza vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older.
Most people only need the flu vaccine once a year. However, some children receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time need to receive two shots 4 weeks apart.
If you are 65 years of age or older, a high-dose formulation of the influenza vaccine is also available.
RSV is especially dangerous for infants and young children, as well as older adults. Vaccines are available that protect both groups.
The CDC updated its recommendations for older adults this year, adding clearer guidance. All adults over the age of 75 should receive the RSV vaccine, as well as those over the age of 60 who are at increased risk for certain chronic conditions such as lung disease and heart disease, or those living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. Must be inoculated once.
Unlike the influenza and Covid-19 vaccines, the RSV vaccine is a one-shot vaccine. Older adults who received the RSV vaccine last year when it first became available do not need to receive a new vaccine this year.
Pregnant women can receive the RSV vaccine to protect their newborns or give antibodies to their infants after birth.
The CDC says getting both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines at the same time is safe and may be more convenient than postponing one dose and getting sick in the meantime. If you want to take multiple shots at once, you can do them with the same arm, at least an inch apart, or with different arms.
The CDC says eligible people may be vaccinated against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV at the same time. There is no recommended wait time between them. However, the agency says, “People who receive the synchronized syncytial virus vaccine and influenza vaccine at the same time may be more likely to experience injection site reactions and other common side effects after vaccination.” Additional research is being conducted to better understand this. ”
There is currently no combination vaccine available, but that may not be far away. Moderna recently announced that it plans to seek regulatory approval for a combination coronavirus and influenza vaccine in 2024.
COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus vaccines are widely available at pharmacies across the United States. The federal government has a vaccine search tool to help find available doses, but says appointments and availability should be confirmed directly with the provider.
Vaccines may also be available at your local health department or clinic, but it’s probably not as easy.
For children and infants, parents should consult a pediatrician. However, several challenges from last year, such as age restrictions at pharmacies and inventory limits at pediatric clinics, may continue into this season.
These vaccines are covered by most insurance plans. Most people with private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid will continue to be able to get vaccinated without paying out of pocket.
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But last year, a federal program that offered free coronavirus vaccines to uninsured adults and adults whose insurance didn’t cover the full cost of the vaccine ended due to a lack of federal funding. For uninsured adults or adults whose insurance does not cover the vaccine, it can cost $201.99 to receive a current COVID-19 vaccination at a pharmacy.
In some areas, free shots may be available to people without insurance. The CDC announced it will allocate $62 million to state and local health departments to provide free coronavirus vaccines to adults who cannot afford them.