CDC Updates | How to Protect Yourself in Respiratory Virus Season, Wild to Mild, Free COVID-19 Tests, and More! - 10/18/2024

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October 18, 2024 This message includes updates on respiratory viruses from CDC.

Respiratory Virus Season: How to Protect Yourself and Others      As we welcome fall, it is a great time to make sure you and your family are taking steps to prevent respiratory diseases, including flu, COVID-19, and RSV. CDC’s respiratory virus guidance can help you stay healthy so you can continue to enjoy all the things you love to do this time of year.   We recommend that everyone use these core prevention strategies: Stay up to date with immunizations Practice good hygiene  Take steps for cleaner air When you may have a respiratory virus: Take steps to prevent spread Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness; early treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness You can also choose any or all of these additional strategies to further protect yourself and others: masks, physical distancing, and tests.   Every year, respiratory diseases such as flu, COVID-19, and RSV cause hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths during the fall and winter virus season. There are more tools than ever to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities from these diseases.

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Don’t Forget Your Flu Shot   Flu vaccines prevent millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor's visits each year. Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against the three flu viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. During seasons when flu vaccines are similar to circulating flu viruses, a flu vaccine can reduce the risk of having to go to the doctor with flu by 40% to 60%. For people who get vaccinated but still get sick, flu vaccine has been shown to reduce severity of illness.   Everyone 6 months and older, with rare exception, should get a flu vaccine every season. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from flu.   Ideally, people should get vaccinated by the end of October. Most health insurance plans cover an annual flu vaccine as preventive care. Flu vaccination is often available at no or low cost to people who do not have insurance. Learn More

Order Four Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Today  Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. Testing can help you know if you have COVID-19 so you can decide what to do next, like getting treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and taking steps to lower your chances of spreading the virus to others.   Ordering tests is easy and takes only a few minutes. Visit COVIDTests.gov and have over-the-counter tests delivered right to your mailbox.   The U.S. government also continues to make COVID-19 tests available to people who are uninsured and underserved communities through existing outreach programs, ranging from local food banks to libraries. Free or low-cost testing also may be available at certain health centers and Increasing Community Access to Testing locations near you. Learn More

Global Handwashing Day  On October 15, CDC joined with global partners and colleagues to celebrate Global Handwashing Day and raise awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap and water. Handwashing with soap and water is simple and inexpensive, and it can significantly reduce the number of young children who get sick.   Hygiene, or practices that improve cleanliness, is a core prevention strategy to lower risk from respiratory viruses. Steps you can take: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands. Learn and use proper handwashing technique. Teach children the correct way to wash their hands. Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs, regularly. Learn More

	Respiratory Virus Data Channel Weekly Snapshot   The Respiratory Virus Weekly Snapshot provides an update on COVID-19, flu, and RSV activity nationally and in your state. Check back every Friday for the latest data.  Learn More

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RSV Immunizations – 9/26/2024

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September 26, 2024 This message includes updates on respiratory viruses from CDC.

RSV can be dangerous for babies and older adults. We are entering the second year where RSV immunizations will be available to protect these groups from severe RSV. There is one set of recommendations for older adults, and a separate set – which includes two immunization options – to protect babies.

RSV Vaccines for Older Adults     CDC recommends a single dose of an RSV vaccine for everyone ages 75 and older and for people ages 60–74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV. Adults ages 60-74 are considered at increased risk if they have one or more of the following risk factors: Chronic heart or lung disease A weakened immune system Certain other medical conditions*, including diabetes with complications and severe obesity Live in a nursing home *For a complete list of chronic health issues that lead to increased risk of severe RSV, see Clinical Overview of RSV.   If you have already gotten an RSV vaccine, you do not need to get another one at this time.   How well do these vaccines work? Real-world data gathered during the 2023-2024 RSV season show that RSV vaccines reduced the risk of RSV-associated hospitalization or emergency department visits by 75%-80%. Importantly, these data include populations that are at highest risk for severe RSV, including those ages 75 and older, those who are immunocompromised, and those who live in nursing homes.   If you are eligible for an RSV vaccine, the best time to get vaccinated is now (late summer through early fall) – before the RSV season starts!

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RSV Immunizations to Protect Infants  CDC recommends all babies be protected from severe RSV by one of two immunization options: A maternal RSV vaccine (Pfizer’s Abrysvo) given to the mother during weeks 32 – 36 of pregnancy An RSV antibody (nirsevimab) given to the baby. RSV antibody should be administered in the first week after birth – ideally during the birth hospitalization, or shortly before the RSV season if they are born outside of RSV season. Nirsevimab is also recommended for a small group of young children 8 – 19 months of age who are at increased risk for severe RSV. Most babies will not need both.   Both RSV immunizations to protect infants are administered during specific months, detailed here: * For infants born outside of this window (April – September) and for young children who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season, the optimal timing for nirsevimab administration is shortly before the RSV season begins (October or November).   How good are these immunizations at protecting babies? Early real-world data show that nirsevimab was 80-90% effective in preventing babies from being hospitalized with RSV. It provides immediate protection against RSV and lasts at least 5 months.   CDC continues to gather real-world effectiveness data for maternal RSV vaccine (Pfizer’s Abrysvo). Our best data at this time continues to be from the phase 3 clinical trial, which showed the maternal RSV vaccine reduced the risk of the baby being hospitalized for RSV by 68% and the risk of having a healthcare visit for RSV by 57% within 3 months after birth. Additional data shows that maternal antibodies protect the baby against RSV for approximately 6 months after birth.   Whether you're a healthcare provider, a caretaker, or at risk of RSV yourself, you can help fight against RSV by learning and sharing CDC's recommendations with others. Learn More

Respiratory Virus Data Channel Weekly Snapshot  The Respiratory Virus Weekly Snapshot provides an update on COVID-19, flu, and RSV activity nationally and in your state. Check back every Friday for the latest data. Learn More

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CDC Updates | COVID-19 MMWR and Updates - 9/12/2024

This message includes updates on respiratory viruses from CDC.

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September 12, 2024 This message includes updates on respiratory viruses from CDC.

Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines    Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect you from severe disease, hospitalization, and death. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer, more reliable way to build protection than getting sick with COVID-19. Getting the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine is important because: Protection from the COVID-19 vaccine decreases with time. COVID-19 vaccines are updated to give you the best protection from the currently circulating strains. Getting the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine is especially important if you: Never received a COVID-19 vaccine Are ages 65 years and older Are at high risk for severe COVID-19 Are living in a long-term care facility Are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, or might become pregnant in the future. Want to lower your risk of getting Long COVID FDA recently approved and authorized the 2024 – 2025 COVID-19 vaccines . Ask your doctor, pharmacist, community health center, or contact your state health department. Check your local pharmacy’s website to see if vaccination appointments are available. Some pharmacies may offer vaccines to those who walk in without making an appointment ahead of time.

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Flu season is coming! Flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. During an average flu season, flu can cause millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of deaths. A flu vaccine offers the best protection against flu and potentially severe flu-related complications.   Everyone 6 months of age and older should make a plan to get an updated flu vaccine. All U.S. flu vaccines for the 2024-2025 season are trivalent (three component) vaccines that protect against three influenza viruses: an A(H1N1) virus, an A(H3N2) virus, and a B/Victoria virus. Learn More

Order Free COVID-19 Tests      COVIDtests.gov will re-open at the end of September. Households across the country can order four additional over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for free. These tests will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants and are intended for use through the end of 2024. You can also find instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates for any tests you may already have. To order four free, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests, visit  COVIDtests.gov. Learn More

Respiratory Virus Data Channel Weekly Snapshot The Respiratory Virus Weekly Snapshot provides an update on COVID-19, flu, and RSV activity nationally and in your state. Check back every Friday for the latest data. Learn More

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd   Atlanta, GA 30329   1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)   TTY: 888-232-6348 Questions or Problems  |  Unsubscribe