Health Officer Update: Flu season is off to an early start; here’s how to protect yourself
Dr. Herbie Duber is the health officer for Kitsap Public Health District. In addition to his work in public health, Dr. Duber serves as a professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Washington and is an attending physician at UW Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Happy fall! As leaves change color, the rain returns, and kids head back to school, we also see an unwelcome increase of respiratory illnesses. Common colds caused by rhinovirus and other relatively mild viruses are spreading throughout our community.
While October traditionally marks the beginning of flu season, we have seen early influenza A activity this year. Working in an emergency department, I am treating plenty of folks with flu, and I have again started to regularly wear a mask when seeing patients. Positive flu tests and flu-related emergency department visits ticked up in Kitsap County in September.
Flu is typically an infection that will run its course and requires nothing more than simple treatment such as acetaminophen/ibuprofen, hydration and rest. However, flu can be severe and many flu-related deaths are reported across Washington state every year.
Flu shots save lives
How can we protect ourselves and our families in what’s shaping up to be an early flu season?
In line with guidance from national medical societies, we encourage everyone ages 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to be fully effective, so the sooner you get the shot, the sooner you’ll be protected.
The flu vaccine is one of the best ways to prevent severe illness that could lead to hospitalization or even death. Vaccination is especially important for people who are at higher risk for severe illness from flu, including very young children, adults older than 65, and those with underlying health concerns such as asthma, COPD, heart disease and other chronic conditions.
COVID-19 vaccines are available
You may also be wondering when to get your COVID-19 vaccine. The guidelines here are a bit more complex, but evidence remains strong that vaccination is effective. According to recent studies, COVID-19 vaccination reduced the risk of hospitalization by half (53%) for adults 65 and over during the last respiratory virus season. Similarly, vaccination benefitted adults with conditions that weaken their immune systems, pregnant patients, and young children.
In line with guidance from national medical societies, we recommend COVID-19 vaccination for:
All babies and toddlers 6–23 months old
Children 2–18 years old who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infections
Adults 19 and older — especially those 65 and older
Anyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccine for themselves or their children
With flu and COVID-19 both spreading locally, I chose to get my flu and COVID-19 shots this past week along with the rest of my family. I encourage you to do the same! Vaccines are widely available at pharmacies throughout Kitsap, and we are happy to help if you are having difficulty finding a place to get your vaccine.
What to know about RSV immunizations
Thousands of young children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are hospitalized each year in the United States. While RSV activity has been minimal in Kitsap so far this season, now is the time to make sure your family is protected.
From September through March, the RSV vaccine is recommended for pregnant people at 32 -36 weeks of pregnancy. Infants and some young children may need monoclonal antibodies to protect them against RSV. A one-time RSV vaccine is recommended for adults 75 years and older and for younger adults who have risk factors for RSV.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the best RSV protection options for your family.
We can all help protect each other
Along with getting seasonal vaccines, we can all take simple steps to protect ourselves and each other from respiratory viruses. Be sure to wash hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home from work or school when you are sick. For an added layer of protection, consider wearing a mask in crowded spaces.
Please take care of yourself, your loved ones, and each other this fall.
Learn more and keep in touch
You can watch my previous reports to the Kitsap Public Health Board on Vimeo and read past Health Officer Updates on our blog.
Have a question or want to get in touch? Please email pio@kitsappublichealth.org.
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