Rsv – Health Hero Tennessee

What Families Should Know About Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines

With temperatures beginning to dip and the holidays fast approaching, it’s the best time to consider vaccinations against viruses that circulate when we’re gathering indoors and traveling.

Why Get Vaccinated Now?

Around this time of year, cases of flu and COVID-19 start to rise around Thanksgiving, with peak season hitting in January. Getting vaccinated sooner helps your body build immunity before these viruses spread; immunity typically takes about two weeks after each shot. With the holiday season approaching, getting vaccinated ahead of any potential travel is especially important, as viruses can spread quickly in these settings.

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting an annual flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine starting at six months of age and older. Pregnant individuals should also get vaccinated, as it protects them and provides some immunity to newborns. It’s particularly important to ensure your children are vaccinated, as the CDC recorded nearly 200 child deaths from the flu last year.

The Flu Vaccine

Flu shots are recommended for everyone aged six months and older, with special high-dose or immune-boosted options available for people aged 65 and older. If you or your children are uncomfortable with needles or have specific health concerns, talk to your healthcare provider about finding the right flu vaccine option.

The RSV Vaccine

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, can be severe for young children. While RSV usually feels like a cold for most, it can result in hospitalization each winter. The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine for infants younger than 8 months born during or are entering their first RSV season. High-risk individuals aged 60 to 74 and those aged 75 and older are also encouraged to get vaccinated. Pregnant individuals are advised to get the RSV vaccine to protect babies born in the fall and winter.

Can You Get All Three Vaccines at Once?

If you’re eligible, it’s safe to get your RSV, flu, and COVID-19 shots in one visit. Although you might experience a sore arm or mild side effects, the convenience and protection outweigh the temporary discomfort.

Additional Ways to Protect Yourself

In addition to getting vaccinated, there are other steps you can take to protect yourself from respiratory illnesses:

● Stay home when sick

● Practice good hygiene, like frequent handwashing

● Consider wearing a mask and maintaining physical distance in crowded settings

These simple steps can reduce your chances of contracting a respiratory virus during the season’s peak.

Making the Choice for Your Family

Getting vaccinated offers an unmatched layer of defense against severe illness. Last year, fewer than half of adults received a flu vaccine, and only 23% got a COVID-19 shot, allowing these viruses to continue causing hospitalizations and deaths through winter. With Thanksgiving and the holidays approaching, it’s a good time to make a plan to get your vaccines. Doing so can lower your risk of severe illness and help reduce the spread of these viruses this season.

Sources:

CDC: Getting Your Immunizations for the 2024–2025 Fall and Winter Virus Season

CDC: RSV Immunization Guidance for Infants and Young Children

CDC: Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines

Every year in the United States, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) sends between 58,000 and 80,000 children under the age of 5 to the hospital, with infants facing the highest risks.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that can affect people of all ages. However, it poses a particularly serious threat to those who are pregnant. While in the womb, a baby’s immune system is still developing, making them easily susceptible to various infections. Studies have suggested that the viruses can enter the bloodstream and pass into the placenta. Babies who are born with exposure to RSV are more likely to have lower birth weight, with one study reporting that newborns born to people who had RSV during the third trimester could have some breathing problems related to RSV.

Several advancements have been made in vaccinating people against RSV. This past season marked the first time the U.S. had two vaccines to reduce the risk of contracting RSV. One vaccine targets pregnant individuals, enabling antibody transfer to their infants, while the other, nirsevimab, is a monoclonal antibody directly administered to infants.

But who should get the maternal RSV vaccine? According to CDC guidelines, pregnant individuals who are between 32 and 36 weeks gestation during the peak RSV season, which typically spans from September through January, should receive the vaccine.

The administration of the maternal RSV vaccine is a straightforward process. It involves a single shot into the upper arm of the expectant mother. Only one dose is recommended during pregnancy, and while the necessity of additional doses in subsequent pregnancies is yet to be determined, the initial dose provides significant protection for both the mother and the baby. Studies have shown that babies born to mothers who received the RSV vaccine are at a significantly lower risk of hospitalization due to RSV, with a reduction in risk by up to 57% during the first six months of life.

In clinical trials, pregnant individuals receiving the maternal RSV vaccine commonly experienced side effects like injection site pain, headache, muscle pain, and nausea. It’s important to note that these side effects are generally mild and temporary. Although rare, more serious side effects like pre-eclampsia, a serious high blood pressure condition, occurred slightly more frequently in vaccinated individuals compared to those who received a placebo. Severe allergic reactions to vaccines, though rare, can occur, and immediate medical attention is necessary if symptoms like hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing arise.

Despite these minor risks, steps should be taken to ensure your baby is protected from RSV, including vaccination. If you are unsure about vaccines or have questions, consider talking with your healthcare provider about options and steps you can take to prevent severe RSV.

Sources

CDC: RSV Vaccination for Pregnant People

National Library of Medicine: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV)

National Library of Medicine: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Is the Leading Cause of United States Infant Hospitalizations, 2009–2019: A Study of the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample

Get the latest updates from Health Hero

Close