Final winter, america skilled a “tripledemic” of those three airborne respiratory viruses, leading to a spike in hospitalizations and deaths amongst each youngsters and adults. And this 12 months, some docs worry an identical triple-whammy surge. However taking motion now’s the easiest way to guard your self and your family members.

“We’re two weeks [away] from Thanksgiving, and now’s the best time for everybody to guard themselves,” says Mandy Cohen, MD, director of the CDC. “Each winter season, we see extra viruses circulating, and sadly, these viruses make individuals very sick, [and they can] find yourself within the hospital, and sadly, even die.”

“We’re two weeks [away] from Thanksgiving, and now’s the best time for everybody to guard themselves.” —Mandy Cohen, MD, director of the CDC

We could also be almost 4 years away from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, however Dr. Cohen says that the virus stays extremely prevalent, and given what we all know now in regards to the potential for contracting lengthy COVID and experiencing lingering well being penalties from an infection, it’s nonetheless essential to take all of the precautions you may to keep away from the virus.

Meaning getting vaccinated for COVID-19 in addition to the flu, and for these eligible, RSV, as quickly as attainable (and particularly earlier than doing any Thanksgiving or vacation journey). Under, you’ll discover every thing it’s essential find out about eligibility for the COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines, methods to get them, potential unwanted effects, and different ideas from the CDC for staying wholesome.

Who ought to get the COVID-19 and flu vaccines?

The CDC recommends that everybody older than six months get this 12 months’s flu vaccine and everybody 5 years and older get one dose of the up to date COVID-19 vaccine (even for those who had earlier COVID-19 photographs, assuming they have been earlier than September 12, 2023). Any of the present choices in the marketplace for the COVID-19 vaccine—Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax—will fulfill this requirement.

One exception to this rule is for those who had COVID-19 not too long ago; the CDC suggests delaying your up to date vaccine by three months from the date whenever you examined constructive, given reinfection is unlikely within the few weeks instantly following an infection.

Youngsters who’re between six months and 4 years of age may have extra doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to stand up so far, and anybody who’s both reasonably or severely immunocompromised might also want further doses of the up to date vaccine, so if that’s you, it’s essential to examine in along with your physician.

Who ought to get the RSV vaccine?

In line with the CDC, adults over 60 years previous and people who find themselves 32 to 36 weeks pregnant ought to get the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. (To be clear, those that don’t fall in these specific teams aren’t eligible for the RSV vaccine and shouldn’t get it.) RSV is a extremely contagious flu-like situation that may be significantly harmful for susceptible populations, together with the very previous and the very younger.

“For the primary time, we’ve safety for our infants in opposition to RSV,” says Dr. Cohen, who stresses the significance of vaccination for anybody in these eligible teams. “If you happen to’re pregnant, there’s a vaccine for you for those who’re between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant, and we’ve an antibody shot that we can provide to infants below the age of eight months that may defend them immediately in opposition to RSV.”

In line with the CDC, RSV kills an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 older adults and 100,000 to 200,000 infants annually. Final fall, america skilled a dramatic RSV surge¹ that was pushed by two strains of the virus, RSV-A and RSV-B. It’s thought that lack of publicity to the everyday seasonal viruses within the years of COVID-19 quarantines and lockdowns could have triggered this surge, which once more, occurred alongside an increase in instances of each COVID-19 and the flu, placing an immense pressure on hospitals. Getting the RSV vaccine, explains Dr. Cohen, will help forestall a repeat of final 12 months’s spike, and doubtlessly save 1000’s of lives within the course of.

Can I get 2 or 3 of the vaccines on the similar time?

If you happen to’re wanting to avoid wasting time on the physician’s workplace, Dr. Cohen says there’s no threat concerned with getting any mixture of the COVID-19, RSV, and/or flu vaccines without delay. There isn’t any minimal ready interval it’s essential to adhere to between every vaccine, based on the CDC.

That mentioned, you could wish to seek the advice of along with your physician forward of time to debate your choices, as getting a number of photographs in a single fell swoop might doubtlessly heighten the unwanted effects of every; one 2022 research discovered that folks have been barely extra more likely to expertise unwanted effects when getting the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine on the similar time², and CDC scientific trials discovered that those that acquired the RSV and flu vaccines on the similar time skilled barely extra unwanted effects than those that acquired them individually. Regardless of this, the CDC experiences that getting all three vaccinations on the similar time is, once more, protected and efficacious.

“When you have the flexibility to unfold them out, [and] you wish to try this, that’s completely high quality,” says Dr. Cohen. “You wish to get them collectively? Additionally high quality. It’s actually extra about what works to your schedule.”

What are the unwanted effects of the COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines?

Uncomfortable side effects of the COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines range from individual to individual, however for many sufferers, the signs are gentle to average. “The commonest unwanted effects that we’re seeing from these vaccines are ache on the website of the injection, slightly arm soreness, and a little bit of achiness or fatigue that often goes away with Tylenol or ibuprofen,” says Dr. Cohen.

Whereas there’s definitely some threat of extra extreme unwanted effects (like nausea, chills, and fever), Dr. Cohen says that these antagonistic reactions pale compared to the way you’d really feel after contracting RSV, the flu, or COVID-19, and are sometimes short-lived.

“The dangers of what might occur to you for those who don’t get vaccinated are a lot worse, so we wish to be sure that everybody’s getting protected,” says Dr. Cohen.

4 ideas from the CDC to remain wholesome this season (past getting vaccinated)

1. Keep residence for those who’re sick

In line with Dr. Cohen, probably the greatest methods to maintain your family members from getting sick is by limiting your contact with them whereas you’re sick. Certain, it sucks to overlook out on enjoyable outings and gatherings, however with correct relaxation, remedy, and isolation, you’ll be again in your toes sooner, and also you gained’t threat getting your loved ones sick within the course of. “You don’t wish to convey germs to your loved ones, significantly for those who’re gathering with grandparents or different older adults,” says Dr. Cohen.

If you happen to start to really feel any chilly, flu, or COVID-19 signs , Dr. Cohen suggests getting examined for COVID-19 as quickly as attainable. “Testing is basically essential [in order] to get you entry to the remedy that might prevent from going into the hospital,” says Dr. Cohen.

You may get examined for COVID-19 without cost via the CDC’s Rising Neighborhood Entry to Testing (ICATT) program. Use this testing heart locator to discover a free testing location near your own home, or order as much as 4 free at-home self-testing kits from the federal authorities.

2. Masks up

Carrying face masks may not be the norm anymore, however based on Dr. Cohen, they’re nonetheless one of the best type of private safety in opposition to airborne ailments. Face coverings that absolutely cowl your nostril and mouth can protect you from saliva droplets and sprays (yuck!) you could in any other case inhale when in shut proximity to others.

“COVID-19, flu, and RSV are respiratory viruses and unfold via the air,” explains Dr. Cohen. “Keep in mind—masks do work to guard you from what is likely to be circulating in your airspace.”

3. Wash your arms

To stop hand-to-hand transmission of respiratory (and diarrheal) viruses, the CDC recommends correctly washing your arms steadily all through the day. You possibly can simply catch COVID-19, RSV, and the flu by touching your eyes, nostril, and mouth with unwashed arms which have come into contact with any of those viruses.

Whereas hand sanitizer does cut back the variety of germs in your arms, it doesn’t eliminate all sorts of germs, based on the CDC. Per the CDC’s handwashing pointers, remember to wash your arms earlier than, throughout, and after cooking; earlier than and after consuming; after blowing your nostril or sneezing; earlier than and after coming into contact with somebody who’s sick; and naturally, after utilizing the bathroom. Scrub up with cleaning soap and water for at the least 20 seconds, or so long as it takes to sing “Pleased Birthday.”

4. Journey correctly

Whereas airborne diseases run rampant this time of 12 months, Dr. Cohen says you could maintain your vacation journey plans—simply be conscious of your contact with others. Getting vaccinated, masking up when attainable, and washing your arms steadily will tremendously cut back your possibilities of getting sick whereas touring.

“All of us can [still] collect with our mates and journey,” says Dr. Cohen. “I plan to journey this Thanksgiving, however we’re utilizing layers of safety. It’s why I acquired vaccinated, my children acquired vaccinated, [and] my husband’s vaccinated.”

Adhering to those wholesome practices can maintain you—and your family members—protected all through the vacation season. “All of us wish to have a contented and wholesome vacation season with Thanksgiving being simply two weeks away,” says Dr. Cohen. “We all know people are gathering indoors, and that’s what viruses like. They like to maneuver round with us, so we have to use the instruments that we’ve out there to guard ourselves.”