September 2024
Arming Yourself for the Fall Respiratory Illness Season
The fall respiratory illness season is upon us, and we should all be considering the important vaccinations that can help prevent serious illness. Individuals of any age can be affected by the new variants of COVID-19, the seasonal influenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Although anyone can become ill with these viruses, young children and older individuals are the most vulnerable, especially if they have any chronic illness. Viruses are spread by when people cough, sneeze, or talk, or when a person touches a surface that has a virus on it and then touches their own eyes, nose or mouth. These are reasons why frequent hand washing, covering your cough or sneeze, and frequent surface cleaning are recommended as strategies to prevent viral transmission.
Updated COVID-19 vaccinations continue to be recommended, especially for those who are at high risk of serious illness and hospitalization. Previous COVID-19 vaccinations from Moderna and Pfizer have been discontinued and new vaccinations for the 2024-25 season are currently being manufactured. These vaccines will have an updated formula targeting current variants (KP.3.1.1 for those tracking) and should provide better protection against serious illness from the newer variant. BIHS currently has no available COVID-19 vaccinations but anticipate a delivery of the newest Moderna vaccines from the Department of Health to arrive in September. Stay tuned for more information about getting an updated Covid immunization on the island if desired. Free COVID-19 tests will again be available at the end of September; you can order four tests per household from COVIDtests.gov. If you become ill with COVID, antiviral treatments are thought to reduce your risk of serious illness and the earlier they are started the better, preferably within the first five days of your illness.
Peak flu activity is usually between December and February. Obtaining a flu vaccine as soon as they become available is recommended but can be helpful throughout the entire flu season. It is best to be vaccinated before the end of October if you can. The vaccine changes every year and contains the three flu strains that are anticipated to dominate the upcoming flu season. Flu prediction models are created in February and March for the upcoming flu season, based on strains that are circulating in other parts of the world. The best way to prevent flu illness in those around you is to have protection against getting the flu yourself by getting vaccinated. This is especially important if you have children 6 months and younger in your household, who can’t be vaccinated for flu. Like COVID-19, there are antiviral medications that can help to reduce the severity of a flu illness that are best started within two days of your symptoms beginning. BIHS is awaiting the release of the seasonal flu vaccine from the RI Department of Health. When we have information about vaccine arrival on the island we will begin planning flu clinics. Watch the BIBB for information.
RSV is a common virus that most children have been infected with by age two years, but it can also infect adults. Most of the time symptoms are mild and mimic having a cold, but some infants and older adults are at risk for more serious illness. The CDC recommends immunization for all adults aged 75 or older and for individuals between 60 and 74 who have high risk of serious illness. This vaccination is not an annual vaccine at the present time, so you only need to have it once. Unfortunately, BIHS is unable to accommodate storage for this vaccination, so we recommend that individuals obtain the vaccine when they are off island. It is available at most pharmacies.
Your primary care team at BIHS is ready to help you prevent serious respiratory illness this fall and encourages you to watch for information on the BIBB and our website about vaccination clinics and availability of vaccinations through office appointments.
Laurie Anderson, APRN-C, CDOE