Why are vaccinations for the flu, COVID-19 and RSV necessary? Here's what local doctors say.

SOMERSET ― As the temperature turns colder and people spend more time together indoors, there’s something we should do now to protect ourselves and others from respiratory illnesses like influenza, COVID-19 and RSV, local physicians say: Roll up your sleeves and get vaccinated.

“Now is the perfect time to get vaccinated, because it takes about two weeks (after receiving the vaccination) to develop adequate immunity and protection,” said Dr. David Csikos, chief medical officer at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber.

“This is a very strong recommendation that people get vaccinated for influenza, but also the COVID-19 booster. Many more people could be protected if more people got vaccinated for influenza and COVID-19. The booster will protect against severe disease, hospitalization, death and the effects of long COVID.

“Anyone can experience severe COVID-19 complications, so getting the vaccine now is important.”

And on Oct. 19, officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that a vaccine for the respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is now available for people 60 years of age and older and women in their third trimester of pregnancy. An RSV vaccine is also available for infants who are entering their first winter season. Residents should contact their health care provider for more information on the RSV vaccine.

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COVID-19 hospitalizations in Somerset County

Current reports compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show an increase in hospital admissions from confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Somerset County, but overall, admissions from COVID-19 remained low compared to other areas of the nation.

As of Oct. 7, Somerset County had 26 new hospital admissions confirmed as COVID-19, according to the CDC’s COVID Datea Tracker website, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_new-admissions-rate-county. Dr. Yuko Gibson, a family medicine physician affiliated with UPMC Somerset, said West Central Pennsylvania and Western Maryland, had 16 inpatients as of Oct. 18. She said the rise in COVID cases is not as high as it was two years ago.

“People going back to school or group events that are in a contained environment is when we tend to see a seasonal uptick because of the closer quarters,” Gibson said. “That’s true of any respiratory illness.”

Csikos confirmed this, saying, “We have seen an uptick in COVID positivity testing and admissions at Windber and in the region. Fortunately, there has not been a significant increase in ICU admissions and only small numbers of patients on ventilators in the region.”

“The bottom line is we have to test,” Gibson said. “Parts of the aspects of COVID are the same as the flu – sore throat, coughing, nasal congestion. It is a virus that is evolving. The symptoms evolve as well.”

An ounce of prevention

Just as the flu vaccine helps protect people from serious complications of the flu, getting an updated COVID-19 booster vaccine this fall offers people the best protection against the current strains of the coronavirus, Csikos said.

“The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older should get the flu vaccine every year. Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu, and we recommend getting the COVID-19 vaccine (as well),” he said. “I believe the vaccine works well against the current strains of COVID-19 and provides strong protection for this fall and winter.

“These vaccines are available, safe and effective, and they should be covered by most private health insurance (plans) as well as Medicare and Medicaid.”

Gibson agreed the best protection is to get vaccinated. She emphasized also to continue to wash hands, don’t go to work or school if you feel sick and to wear a mask if you are in a higher immunity risk population.

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Vaccines can be taken together, or separately

Csikos said that people can get both the flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at the same time, although he recommends getting one vaccine on each arm. Anyone who prefers to get the vaccinations separately should get the first vaccine now and the second two weeks later.

He said he’s had both vaccinations already, and he had some minor side effects like soreness, aches and chills after the injection.

“That (response) just shows the immune system is working, and the side effects are gone in 48 hours,” Csikos said.

“Vaccines will reduce the severity of illness for those who get vaccinated but still get sick. Vaccines protect against severe disease, hospitalization, death and the effects of long COVID. The benefits of vaccination continue to outweigh the risks, and severe reactions are rare.”

Updated COVID-19 booster vaccines are, or should soon be available at many local pharmacies, and the Veterans Administration has vaccines available for any veteran, according to information from the Center for Population Health, which helps to coordinate the region’s COVID-19 Task Force.

Gibson recommends calling the pharmacy ahead of time to make sure it is giving the vaccines and when.

“We are continuing to watch things evolve. We don’t know how it will play out (during the season),” Gibson said.

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Order test kits now, too

Free COVID-19 testing kits are also available now to order for the season; orders can be placed online at covid.gov/tests or by calling 1-800-232-0233.

For those who do come down with the flu or COVID-19 during the season, there are antiviral medications that are available by prescription through your family physician, Csikos said.

“For those who test positive for the flu or COVID-19, contact your doctor to see what treatment is best for you,” he said. “If you have a fever, cough, sore throat or breathing problem, do a COVID-19 self-test and see your physician. Testing helps prevent the spread of infection.”

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Doctors say updating your vaccinations can help protect you from severe illness this winter.