6 months old
When most children can begin receiving annual flu vaccinations
How to prepare for respiratory virus season
Getting recommended flu, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations before respiratory illnesses begin spreading can help protect you and your family. Planning ahead also means knowing how to reduce exposure and where to seek care if symptoms develop.
Preparing for flu, COVID-19. and RSV
Respiratory virus season typically increases between Thanksgiving and Christmas each year. Immunizations are recommended in September or October.
To prepare:
- Check immunization records for everyone in the household
- Ask your health care provider which vaccines and doses are recommended
- Keep basic illness supplies and home tests available
- Know where to seek care if symptoms become severe or treatment may be needed
Flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, can disrupt school, work, travel, and family plans. For some people, these infections can also lead to hospitalization or other serious complications.
Preparing before respiratory virus season begins can lower your risks.
Nathan Shaw, MD, a UI Health Care family medicine physician who cares for patients in walk-in clinic and hospital settings, says vaccination should be one of your first steps this virus season.
“Vaccination is typically most helpful before the flu and respiratory season hits,” Shaw says.
Depending on your and your family’s ages, health history, pregnancy status, and previous immunizations, protection may be available against:
Flu vaccination is generally recommended each season for people ages 6 months and older. The vaccine is updated annually to provide protection against flu viruses expected to circulate during the coming season.
Families can begin preparing by checking immunization records, asking their health care providers which vaccines are recommended, and scheduling appointments before respiratory illnesses begin spreading widely.
"Vaccination is typically most helpful before the flu and respiratory season hits."
Nathan Shaw, MD
When to get vaccinated before respiratory virus season
What’s the ideal time to get vaccinated?
“The prime time would be the September-to-October period,” Shaw says.
This timing helps your body develop protection before virus activity typically increases, without getting vaccinated so early that protection may wear off before the season ends.
Shaw says the goal is to vaccinate:
- Late enough for protection to last through the season
- Early enough for your immune system to respond
- Before you are exposed to a circulating virus
Getting vaccinated earlier may still be appropriate when it is the most practical opportunity. Children who need more than one dose, as well as pregnant patients, may also have different timing considerations.
If you missed the preferred September-to-October window, it is not too late.
“As long as there’s still circulating influenza, it’s reasonable to vaccinate,” Shaw says, adding that any vaccination is better than none.
The best timing may also depend on when vaccination is realistically available. If a clinic visit in July or August is the only practical opportunity, getting vaccinated then is generally better than missing vaccination altogether.
Which respiratory virus immunizations to consider
Flu, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations have different recommendations and schedules.
Flu vaccine
Flu vaccination is an annual immunization. The vaccine is updated because the viruses circulating in the community can change from year to year.
“In general, the recommendation for influenza is that everyone should get it,” Shaw says.
Some children receiving flu vaccination for the first time may need two doses given at least four weeks apart. Parents should check with their child’s health care provider early enough to complete both doses before flu activity increases.
COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 vaccination can reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Recommendations will depend on your age, immune status, health risks, and previous vaccination history.
Because COVID-19 guidance can change as new vaccines become available, ask your health care team which dose is currently recommended for you.
“The COVID-19 vaccine is a very effective vaccine,” Shaw says.
RSV immunization
RSV vaccination is not an annual vaccine for everyone.
Current recommendations include one dose for:
- All adults age 75 and older
- Adults ages 50 through 74 who have an increased risk of severe RSV illness
- Adults who have already received an RSV vaccine are not currently advised to receive another dose.
“RSV is a unique vaccine because it’s a one-time shot,” Shaw says.
Infants may be protected through RSV vaccination during pregnancy or through a preventive antibody given directly to the baby after birth— most infants do not need both.
Planning your immunizations
You may be able to receive multiple respiratory virus vaccines during one appointment.
“Getting them at the same time can be very convenient for patients,” Shaw says of flu and COVID-19 vaccination.
There is generally no need to schedule separate appointments because of concerns that spacing the vaccines will make them more effective.
“There are no medical studies or information showing that spacing out flu and COVID-19 vaccines makes them work better,” Shaw says.
Prepare for respiratory virus season
Ask your provider which respiratory virus immunizations are recommended for you and your family.
Make immunization a priority
Anyone can become seriously ill from flu, COVID-19, or RSV. Being young, active, or generally healthy does not guarantee that an infection will remain mild.
“Even a healthy person can get sick,” Shaw says. “Nobody knows how sick you may get from a respiratory virus.”
People who may face a greater risk of serious illness or complications include:
- Younger than age 5, especially children younger than age 2
- Age 65 and older
- Pregnant patients
The following conditions can also come with a greater risk:
- Asthma, COPD, or other lung conditions
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Weakened immune system
- Other chronic health conditions
If you are age 65 or older, ask which flu vaccine is recommended for your age. Higher-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccines may produce a stronger immune response in older adults.
If a stronger dose is not possible, a standard dose is still helpful.
“Any flu vaccine is better than none. If you go to a clinic or pharmacy and they only have the standard flu vaccine, you should still get it,” Shaw says.
Pregnant patients should discuss flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccination with their pregnancy care team. Preventing an infection during pregnancy is important.
“People who are pregnant tend to have a higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization, and potentially pregnancy-related complications, from these viruses,” Shaw says.
Maternal RSV vaccination is recommended during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy, generally from September through January, to help protect infants after birth.
Steps you can take beyond vaccination
Vaccination is an important layer of protection, but it does not prevent every infection.
“The point of the vaccines, ultimately, is to reduce the risk of severe illness and keep you out of the hospital,” Shaw says.
Vaccination does not give you complete protection against infection. You still may become sick, but vaccination can reduce the likelihood of severe illness and complications.
“It’s not like a 100% shield of armor that’s going to allow you to take any risks you want during the respiratory season,” Shaw says.
You can take additional steps to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, including:
- Washing hands frequently
- Using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available
- Covering coughs and sneezes
- Keeping masks available
- Staying home when you have a fever or feel unwell
- Cleaning frequently touched surfaces
- Avoiding close contact with people at higher risk when you’re sick
- Keeping home tests and basic symptom-relief supplies available
Hand hygiene is especially important. Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer, especially after being out in the community or before eating.
You are often most likely to spread an infection early in the illness, especially if you have a fever or feel particularly unwell.
“If you feel really bad, you should stay home and stay away from other people,” Shaw says. “If you have to go out, wear a mask and practice hand hygiene.”
You and your family can also prepare by checking that you have:
- A working thermometer
- Age-appropriate fever and pain medicines
- Fluids or oral hydration products
- Tissues and hand sanitizer
- Masks
- COVID-19 or combined flu-and-COVID-19 home tests
- Contact information for your primary care or pediatric clinic
- The address of a nearby walk-in clinic or emergency department
For mild symptoms, home care may include rest, fluids, saltwater gargles, age-appropriate cough medicines, and medicine for fever or body aches. Honey may help with coughing in adults and children age 1 and older, but it should never be given to a child younger than 1 year old. Patients should drink enough to urinate regularly. Dark urine or very limited urination may be a sign that more fluids or a medical evaluation is needed.
Home tests may help identify the cause of symptoms, but a negative home test does not always rule out an infection. Patients who are at increased risk or feel very ill should contact a health care provider.
Where to seek care if respiratory symptoms develop
Flu, COVID-19, and RSV can cause similar symptoms.
Common symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Headache
Many mild illnesses can initially be managed at home with rest, fluids, and age-appropriate symptom relief.
Contact your primary care provider or visit a same-day walk-in clinic, such as Quick Care or Urgent Care, if your symptoms are severe or getting worse or if you:
- Are at increased risk of complications
- Are concerned about your child’s symptoms
- Want testing to determine which infection you have
- May qualify for antiviral treatment
- Are unsure whether home care is appropriate
“It’s always OK to come in and be evaluated, whether you think you’re extremely sick or not,” Shaw says.
Testing may be important because flu and COVID-19 have different antiviral treatments. These medicines are generally most helpful when started early in the illness, particularly for patients at greater risk of complications.
A clinic may also check:
- Temperature
- Heart rate
- Breathing rate
- Oxygen level
- Hydration
- Signs of pneumonia or other complications
Seek urgent or emergency care for symptoms such as:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Significant dizziness
- Confusion
- Inability to keep fluids down
- Little or no urination
- Signs of severe dehydration
- Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Seek treatment immediately if you or a loved one have severe symptoms. This includes high fever, significant dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, inability to keep fluids down, or difficulty going to the bathroom.
People at higher risk of complications should contact a provider early rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe. Flu and COVID-19 have different antiviral treatments, so testing can help determine whether a medication is necessary.
Planning now can make decisions easier later. Review the immunizations recommended for everyone in your household, prepare basic supplies, and know where you will seek care if you or a family member becomes sick.
Respiratory symptoms? Know where to go
UI Health Care primary care and walk-in clinic teams can evaluate symptoms, provide testing, and determine whether treatment may help.
