Vaccines available as respiratory illnesses begin
Wisconsinites are urged to get vaccinated against respiratory illnesses this fall. An updated COVID-19 and a new annual flu vaccine are now available, to protect against the strains circulating this season.
RSV vaccines are also available for people who are eligible, including most older adults and people who are pregnant. An RSV antibody to protect infants from severe illness, will be available Oct. 1.
“In the fall, viruses like flu, RSV and COVID-19, start to increase across Wisconsin, and spread through communities, workplaces, schools and other places people live, work and play,” said state health officer Paula Tran. “While they may only cause mild sickness for some people, for others, like older adults, infant, and those with underlying health risks, they can cause serious illness and even death. Vaccines are safe and effective, and we encourage Wisconsinites to talk to their healthcare providers, to see what’s best for them.”
Currently in Wisconsin, COVID-19 activity is elevated statewide, especially in children younger than five years old and adults over the age of 65. Flu and RSV activity are low, but levels are expected to increase.
The flu vaccine is recommended annually, for everyone six months and older. This is especially important for those at highest risk of experiencing severe symptoms, including older adults, people with chronic health conditions, people who are pregnant and young children.
It is recommended everyone six months and older get the updated COVID-19 vaccine. The 2024–25 vaccine is formulated to protect against currently circulating variants of COVID-19, and will protect people from the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter.
A single dose of RSV vaccine is recommended for people who are age 60 or older, who have not already received an RSV vaccine, especially people who are age 75 and older; people ages 60-74, who have certain chronic medical conditions, like lung or heart disease, or who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, and are at increased risk of severe RSV.
RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine, meaning older adults do not need to get a dose every RSV season.
Certain pregnant people should get the maternal RSV vaccine to protect their infant, because infants are especially at risk of severe RSV. The CDC recommends one dose of the vaccine be given to pregnant people when they are 32-36 weeks and six days pregnant, between Sept. 1 and Jan. 31.
If a pregnant person does not receive the maternal RSV vaccine, an RSV antibody shot is recommended for infants less than eight months old and some toddlers to protect them from severe RSV. This antibody, called nirsevimab, will be available Oct. 1 to March 31.
Vaccine appointments are made available by healthcare providers, clinics and pharmacies, as shipments of vaccine arrive. To find and schedule a vaccine, Wisconsin residents are encouraged to check with their primary care provider, local or Tribal health department, community clinic or visit vaccines.gov.
If they do not have health insurance or their health insurance does not cover vaccines, there are programs that can help, including the Vaccines for Children program and Vaccines for Adults program.
Eligible Wisconsinites can get their flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccine at the same time.
In addition to getting vaccinated, cover coughs and sneezes, wash or sanitize hands often, and maintain awareness of the respiratory viruses currently spreading in a community, to assess risk when making plans.
