Fall is the time to protect yourself

Fall is in the air providing relief from the heat and humidity we experienced over this summer. Fall is also the time of the year to make certain you have a plan for protecting your loved ones from the flu, Covid-19 and RSV.

The good news is that you may be able to get the flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same time! Scientific studies during the last three years indicate that it is safe to get a flu vaccine, RSV vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit.

We are all aware of the need to get the flu and Covid-19 boosters, but many people are unaware of the need to protect older adults from RSV. RSV is a common cause of lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia. Although many people are infected by RSV without major complications, for older adults It can be extremely dangerous. Up to 160,000 older adults are hospitalized in the United States each year because of illnesses related to RSV. Unlike many other viruses you do not develop complete immunity to RSV after being exposed. It is important to get the vaccine every year. In some cases, more than once per year is recommended.

10,000 older adults die of complications from RSV every year. Take action to prevent your loved one, and yourself from complications of RSV. Talk with your loved one’s health care provider to discuss your plan for preventing flu, Covid-19 and RSV in your family.