Expert tips for keeping loved ones healthy this winter
by about half. In 2023, 90 percent of adults admitted to the hospital for COVID- 19, were not up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. People who skipped their flu shot were twice as likely to need to visit a doctor for flu.
• Older people – Most flu, COVID-19 and RSV hospitalizations, and deaths, are in people ages 65 and older. If helping care for an older friend or loved one, let them know their risk for getting very sick from these viruses – and that vaccines can help protect them from needing to go to the hospital.
• Those who live in longterm care facilities – Respiratory viruses can spread among people in long-term care, who may be older or have health conditions that raise their risk of severe flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
• Pregnant women – Getting flu and COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy provides protection against severe illness for mother, and baby, up to six months old. An RSV vaccine during pregnancy also protects the baby from severe RSV, up to six months old.
Visit cdc.gov/RiskLess-DoMore or talk to a doctor, to learn more about vaccines.
Submitted Photo
Winter can bring plenty of opportunities for cozy gatherings with loved ones and these moments can be bright spots during cold months. However, spending more time indoors means more chances for respiratory viruses to spread.
Flu, COVID-19 and RSV viruses, can make people sick enough that they need to go to the doctor or hospital.
Millions of people have already gotten vaccinated this fall or winter. In fact, more people are getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and flu this year, compared to this time last year, according to the CDC. Vaccines are the best protection against serious illness.
To help keep loved ones healthy this winter, offer to take them to get vaccinated. Make sure they know it’s safe to get more than one vaccine at the same appointment.
The CDC recommends everyone, six months and older, get flu and COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, everyone 75 and older – and those 60 and older with certain health conditions, or who live in nursing homes – should get one dose of an RSV vaccine, if they haven’t before.
Pregnant women, who are 32 through 36 weeks pregnant, during the winter months, should get an RSV vaccine to help protect their baby during the first six months.
According to the CDC, some people face higher risks of getting very sick from respiratory viruses, including the following:
• People not up-to-date on their vaccines – Vaccines cut the risk of needing hospital care for flu or COVID-19, Kathy Swanson, right, presented $250 from the Cornell Lions Club to city administrator Dave DeJongh, Jan. 29, for picnic tables that will be located along the riverfront trail at Mill Yard Park. The donation is the final amount needed to purchase the remaining tables, joining the funds from Northwestern Bank ($500) and $2,100 in grants from the Community Foundation of Chippewa County (Gerald H. & Ann C. Jacobson Fund, 3 R’s Fitness Fund Forever and Darley Family Foundation Fund).
