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December 5, 2023 This message includes updates on COVID-19 from CDC.

New: Weekly Updates on Fall and Winter Virus Season

CDC and public health partners are working to help people protect themselves this fall and winter virus season, when COVID-19, flu, and RSV are spreading at the same time. You can use CDC's new web tool to find weekly updates on respiratory viral illness activity in the United States or in your area, along with other key data on whether things are getting better or worse, and who is most affected by serious consequences such as hospitalizations or even deaths. Visit our respiratory illness website to learn how to stay safe, find resources and toolkits, and stay updated with the weekly viral respiratory illness snapshot.

Take Steps to Stay Healthy During the Holidays

Gathering with loved ones to celebrate the holidays is an important tradition for many, but it is also a time when many viruses are more likely to spread. You and your loved ones can take action to help prevent respiratory virus illnesses during the holidays and at other times:

Get recommended vaccines against respiratory viruses.
Get tested if you have signs or symptoms of a respiratory illness.
Talk to your doctor about whether you should get treated with antiviral medication if you have a higher risk for serious illness.
Use everyday healthy behaviors, including staying home when sick.

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What to Know About Getting COVID-19, Flu, and RSV Vaccines at the Same Time

CDC recently posted an article on what you need to know about receiving COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines (if eligible for an RSV vaccine) at the same time. Getting multiple vaccines at the same time is safe and can help keep you up to date, especially if you might not be able to make multiple visits to your provider. Whether you choose to get vaccinated at the same visit or at separate visits, the most important thing is that you get all vaccines recommended for you to protect against these illnesses.

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V-safe

Adults 60 years and older and people between 32-36 weeks pregnant can now register for V-safe after receiving an RSV vaccine to tell CDC how they feel after vaccination.

V-safe is a safety monitoring system that lets you share with CDC how you or your dependent (family member, friend, or a person who relies on you for support) feels after getting an RSV vaccine. V-safe originally launched in December 2020 to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

To use V-safe, you’ll need to create an account using a computer, smartphone, or tablet by visiting vsafe.cdc.gov. After you register, V-safe will send you personalized and confidential health check-ins via text messages or emails to quickly and easily share how you feel after getting your vaccination. The data collected through V-safe help CDC inform the public about what to expect following vaccination.

V-safe is one of several systems that CDC uses to closely monitor the safety of vaccines.

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Updates to This Newsletter

CDC is expanding the information you receive through this COVID-19 newsletter to also include information on protecting yourself and loved ones against other respiratory viruses. If you’d like to continue receiving this newsletter, you’re all set – no action is needed. If you do not wish to receive a newsletter that includes this additional content on other respiratory viruses, you can remove yourself at the unsubscribe page.