Protect Yourself from Respiratory Viruses

June 27, 2025

     Please review the strategies below for staying healthy. COVID-19 typically circulates during the summer months, so it’s not too late to get vaccinated!

• COVID-19 poses the greatest risk for severe disease to those over 65 years of age and persons with certain health issues, including pregnancy.  However,  anyone who gets COVID-19 can develop long COVID.   
  • CDC guidance for COVID-19 vaccination can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html 
  • The California Department of Public Health continues to recommend that all individuals ages 6 months and older have access and the choice to receive currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines, with an emphasis on protecting higher risk individuals, such as infants and toddlers, pregnant individuals, and others with risks for serious disease. 
  • 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.
    
    
• 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.