As winter approaches, don’t wait to protect your health! You can take simple actions starting now and continuing throughout the season to lower your chances of getting and spreading respiratory viruses.
Stay up to date on vaccines
Vaccines are one of the best ways to keep you and your family from getting very sick and lower your chances of serious illness, complications, and hospitalization.
Good advice on what vaccines to get is provided by the California Department of Public Health at their Public Health for All website.
If you haven’t already gotten vaccinated against flu, COVID-19, and RSV this fall/winter season, NOW is the time to make sure that you and your family are up to date on these vaccines. Getting vaccinated against these infections can help you and your family stay protected this holiday season.
Flu (influenza)
Flu vaccine is recommended every year for everyone 6 months of age and older. It is especially important for people at increased risk of severe influenza, including:
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- Babies (at least 6 months old) and young children
- Pregnant and postpartum people
- Older adults
- People with chronic health conditions like diabetes or heart disease
To learn more about flu vaccines for children:
To learn about flu vaccines during pregnancy:
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
RSV immunizations are recommended to protect people at increased risk of severe RSV. The following people should talk to their provider about whether RSV immunization is recommended for them:
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- Parents of infants and toddlers
- Pregnant people
- Adults 60 years and older
To learn more about RSV immunizations for infants and pregnant people:
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- HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): RSV Immunizations: New Ways to Protect Babies English | Spanish
- MotherToBaby: Ask questions about RSV vaccination during pregnancy in English or Spanish. Call: 1-866-626-6847; Text: 1-855-999-3525 (standard messaging rates may apply); Chat: MotherToBaby
COVID-19
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older has access to COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of severe illness, including:
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- Babies (at least 6 months old) and toddlers through 23 months of age
- Pregnant people
- Adults over 65 years
- Children and adults with chronic medical conditions
To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines:
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- HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): The Science Behind COVID Vaccines: Parent FAQs English | Spanish
- CDPH: COVID-19 Vaccines
Where can I find flu, COVID-19, or RSV vaccine?
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- Ask your healthcare provider.
- Go to a pharmacy.
- If you’re uninsured or don’t have a doctor, visit: OC Health Care Agency: Immunization Clinic
- If you don’t have a provider, call the Health Referral Line (1-800-564-8448) or visit https://coalitionoc.org/ for information about free or low-cost medical services in Orange County.
Get tested and treated
Consider getting tested for COVID-19 and flu if you have symptoms of illness (such as fever or chills, cough, runny nose or congestion, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell). If you test positive for COVID-19 or flu and are at increased risk for severe illness, contact your health care provider right away to ask about treatment. Treatments for COVID-19 and flu work best if started as soon as possible after symptoms start.
Stay home if you are sick
Staying home and away from others when you are sick reduces the spread of respiratory illnesses like flu, COVID-19, RSV, and the common cold. You can go back to your regular activities when you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications AND your symptoms are getting better overall. If you work in healthcare or around people at high risk of severe illness, there may be additional considerations before you can go back to work.
Consider wearing a mask
Wearing a mask around others if you are sick can help protect others. If you are at high risk of becoming severely ill, consider wearing a respirator when you are in indoor public settings with poor ventilation or when traveling on public transportation. Children under 2 years of age should NOT wear masks. See When and Why to Wear a Mask or Respirator for more information.
Wash your hands
Wash your hands regularly throughout the day with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Hand Washing: A Powerful Antidote to Illness English | Spanish
Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
- Wash your hands.
Breastfeed your baby if you’re able to
Breastfeeding your baby is a great way to help protect them. Breastmilk has antibodies and other substances in it that can help protect your baby from the flu and other illnesses.
