Protect Yourself during Respiratory Virus Season

November 20, 2024

     As we head into respiratory virus season, please review the strategies below for staying healthy.  

• The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get a dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine EVERY YEAR at least 2 months after their last dose. Novavax is only authorized for persons 12+.  The vaccines have been updated to better match currently circulating variants.
  • Most persons who have never been vaccinated only need one dose of Pfizer/Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or 2 doses of Novavax to be considered up-to-date.  
  • Children 6 months to 4 years of age who have never been vaccinated are still recommended to get either 2 or 3 doses COVID-19 vaccine.  
    
    
• COVID-19 poses the greatest risk for severe disease to those over 65 years of age and persons with certain health issues, including pregnancy.  But,  anyone who gets COVID-19 can develop long COVID.   
  • We encourage everyone to stay up-to-date on vaccination, stay home and test for COVID-19 when sick, and seek treatment if testing positive. Information on antigen and PCR testing can be found here. 
  • For added protection, consider masking in any indoor public setting, especially if  you are at higher risk for severe disease  (over 65 years of age and/or persons with certain health conditions).  Alameda County continues to align with state COVID-19 masking guidance except as required by local Order for Staff in patient care areas of Acute Care Hospitals, Psychiatric Hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Dialysis Centers, and Infusion Centers.
    
    
• Everyone ages 6 months and older should get an influenza (flu) vaccine EVERY YEAR. Children 8 years and younger need two doses the first year they get the flu vaccine. Older adults, young children, pregnant persons and persons with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for severe influenza disease.
  
  
• One dose of RSV vaccine is now recommended for all adults ages 75 and older and adults 60-74 with certain medical conditions. Also, persons who are between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy during September through January are recommended to get a dose to protect their baby from RSV disease. One dose of RSV antibodies is also available for certain babies/toddlers under 19 months of age. Older adults, babies/toddlers, and persons with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for severe RSV disease.
  
  
• If you have insurance, including Medi-Cal, please contact your healthcare provider or pharmacy about vaccinations.  Starting in October, ACPHD will offer flu and COVID-19 vaccines to persons without insurance and whose insurance does not provide cost-free coverage. Visit our vaccine page to find a location near you.
  • If you do not have insurance or a doctor, visit https://acgov.org/rightcare/. There are insurance options for everyone, regardless of immigration status.