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October 18, 2024 This message includes updates on respiratory viruses from CDC. |
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 | Respiratory Virus Season: How to Protect Yourself and OthersAs 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:
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 ShotFlu 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. |
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 | Order Four Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests TodayEvery 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. |
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 | Global Handwashing DayOn 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:
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 | Respiratory Virus Data Channel Weekly SnapshotThe 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.
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