Here’s How to Protect Yourself During Respiratory Season

October 11, 2022 12:00 am

Typically, the fall and winter months are times when the disease increases and spreads more easily. This has been the case with respiratory viruses, particularly influenza and more recently COVID-19. But this breathing season may be different. Over the past two years, the public has taken preventive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. This has also helped prevent transmission of the flu. Now that more and more people are relaxing these precautions, diseases are more likely to spread.

The good news is that there are things you can do to protect yourself and others. Here’s how:

1. Get your flu shot

Predictions about the US influenza season are based on what Australia and other countries have experienced recently during their respiratory season – and this year has not been a good year.

“Australia saw a five-fold increase in influenza severity and deaths,” said Kencee Graves, MD, associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and chief medical officer for inpatient health at the University of Utah Health. “That makes us a little worried here in the US about how severe this flu season could be.”

Who should get the flu vaccine?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months and older get the flu shot every year. There are some rare exceptions, and certain groups should get certain types of flu vaccine.

People ages 65 and older who are immunocompromised or are pregnant are at higher risk of developing serious complications from influenza. It is important for these groups to speak to their doctor before getting the flu shot.

When is the best time to get a flu shot?

It is recommended to get vaccinated against flu in September or October. Graves says that’s because flu season generally begins in October and lasts through March. “We want the flu vaccine to stay in the body long enough to give someone immunity throughout the season,” she says.

2. Get a COVID-19 booster shot

This is the time of year when we typically see an increase in COVID-19 cases. That’s because more people are spending time indoors, spreading the virus to other people. In addition, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is evolving and creating new variants. Historically, this has resulted in COVID-19 being better able to evade immune responses from vaccines or previous infections.

“Two years into the pandemic, the idea was to develop boosters specific to the circulating variants,” says Hannah Imlay, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Infectious Diseases at U of U Health. “These updated boosters are designed to generate a more specific antibody response.”

While COVID-19 vaccines continue to work well to protect against serious illness and hospitalization, they don’t always protect against infection or mild illness. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech’s updated COVID-19 boosters are designed to protect against both the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the latest circulating Omicron variant. “This updated booster provides a more specific antibody response against the latest circulating variants and should protect you better,” says Imlay.

Is COVID-19 still a threat?

Despite an easing of prevention measures, COVID-19 is still sickening tens of thousands of people in the United States and killing hundreds of people every day. The difference now is that COVID-19 no longer requires a large-scale public health response. But the fact is, the virus is unlikely to go away. It’s important to continue practicing prevention measures around people who are at increased risk of serious illness or when the community rate of COVID-19 is high in your area.

“We know that vaccination has been very helpful during the course of the pandemic, especially since the Omicron variant struck in the winter of 2021,” says Imlay. “We have seen the severity of the disease decrease and there are several reasons for this.”

Much research now supports the fact that the COVID-19 vaccination prevents serious illness, hospitalization and death. That makes vaccination the most important tool for protection against severe COVID-19, says Imlay.

When can I get the updated COVID-19 Booster?

You can get the updated booster shot at least two months after your first vaccination series or two months after your last COVID-19 booster shot. If you were recently infected with COVID-19, the CDC recommends waiting three months for an updated booster dose.

Can I get a flu shot and a COVID-19 booster at the same time?

Yes, data has shown that it is safe to receive both vaccines in the same visit. It’s possible to experience side effects like fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches after vaccination, but most symptoms are mild and go away quickly, according to a CDC study.

I am immunocompromised, older than 65 or pregnant – when is the best time to get vaccinated?

Vaccination is most important for these groups. They are more likely to become seriously ill, hospitalized and even die from the flu and COVID-19.

Not only are pregnant women at serious risk of disease, but their children must not receive a COVID-19 vaccine after birth until they are 6 months old. However, pregnant women who receive a COVID-19 vaccine or an updated booster pass antibodies to their babies, which helps protect them from these diseases.

It is recommended that people with moderate or severe immunodeficiency receive three vaccinations as the primary COVID-19 vaccination course, followed by an updated booster two months later. If you are immunocompromised, talk to your doctor about when to schedule your COVID-19 vaccine.

Because this group has a reduced immune response, some are candidates for additional therapies to prevent SARS-CoV-2, such as B. monoclonal antibodies. These therapies are intended for immunocompromised patients to reduce severe consequences of COVID-19. Patients at high risk of serious consequences (over 65 years, chronic diseases, immunodeficiency) are also eligible for additional therapies to treat SARS-CoV-2, which are best administered as early as possible after diagnosis.

Can you mix and match your COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses?

Yes, it is safe to mix and match mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

How long will the updated booster protect you?

It is not known yet – more data are needed. The previous monovalent booster doses protected against symptomatic infection for about four to six months and helped protect against serious illness for much longer. However, the updated boosters may not work as well for those with compromised immune systems. The effectiveness of updated boosters could also change with new virus variants

Can children receive an updated COVID-19 refresher?

Children under the age of 12 are not eligible for COVID-19 booster shots. The good news is that COVID-19 vaccines are available for children as young as six months old. Data from mRNA vaccines have shown that these vaccines are safe and effective in children.

3. Take preventive measures

While vaccination is your best line of defense against influenza and COVID-19, there are other respiratory viruses like rhinovirus (common cold) and RSV. To protect yourself, follow these preventive measures:

• Wash your hands frequently
• improve ventilation
• Wear a mask in crowded areas
• Increase your distance from others
• Stay home if you are sick
• Get tested

“It’s important that we all do what we can to stay healthy,” says Graves. “And that includes getting vaccinated, staying home if you’re sick and doing things to prevent disease transmission like washing your hands and wearing a mask in crowded areas.”