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A nurse prepares an injection of the influenza vaccine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, January 10, 2013. — Reuters
#Winter #viruses #prevention #checklist
Winter edges in and, like clockwork, Covid-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) return to the spotlight.
According to CNN, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects the 2025–26 peak hospital admissions from these viruses to be broadly similar to last season in the US.
Vaccines won’t prevent every infection, but they make illness milder and help keep people out of hospitals.
Doctors emphasize that the shots blunt intensity. Talking to CNN, what I tell them is, if I get a flu shot and the flu catches on me and I’m in direct contact, I can still get sick, but it will be a milder version of the disease. ”
Vaccines are designed to keep you out of the hospital or worse, he said, noting that the flu and Covid still cause significant deaths annually.
COVID-19
The CDC says people six months or older, including those who are pregnant, should consult with a health care provider about getting the latest Covid-19 vaccine this season.
Dr. Dean Baruch of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center noted a change from previous years in the U.S.: There is no clear federal recommendation for everyone to get a booster. Instead, the CDC makes the vaccine available to all six months and older through shared decision-making with clinicians such as physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and physician assistants.
Three vaccines are available in the United States: Pfizer (ages 5+), Moderna (6+ months) and Novax (12+), with Pfizer/Moderna using mRNA technology and Novax A protein-based platforms.
In the United States, up-to-date vaccines targeting the current strain are available at most pharmacies, some doctor’s offices, and some public health departments. CVS (Consumer Value Stores) has said it now offers the latest shots nationwide and no longer requires outside prescriptions.
Dr. Panagis Galatistos of Johns Hopkins suggests contacting local health departments or large academic medical centers for availability, and usually getting the latest vaccine in the fall, then discussing a possible booster in about six months.
For timing, Dr. Sarah DuPont (Emory Healthcare) recommends October or early November, ideally a few weeks before holiday gatherings in the US, and spacing out the diet if you’ve recently had Covid-19.
In the United States, a retail pharmacy Covid booster for people without insurance costs about $220, according to DuPont. Most insured patients should have coverage, and HIP (formerly America’s health insurance plan) said members will continue to be covered by Sept. 1 for all immunizations recommended by the CDC’s advisory committee.
On effectiveness, last season’s latest Covid-19 vaccine was about 39% effective against hospitalization and 64% effective against death in a New England Journal of Medicine study of US veterans. Covid and flu shots may be given at the same visit. Some people find the side effects a little stronger when multiple jabs are taken together.
Flu
Most people six months and older should get the flu vaccine each season, with guidelines unchanged from previous years. Some children may need two doses four weeks apart to get the vaccine for the first time. Effectiveness is known only after the season. For 2024–25, the effectiveness estimate for adults was approximately 42% to 56%.
Timing-wise, September and October are usually good months, with protection building in about two weeks. Public health experts in the U.S. encourage vaccination by Halloween, though the latter still offers protection before the winter holidays.
For Pakistanis, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Pakistan prioritizes seasonal influenza vaccination for high-risk groups—pregnant women (high priority), young children, older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, the elderly, and health care workers, so these groups should discuss this with their physicians locally.
In the United States, there is usually access through local pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and some public health departments, and many people in 34 states (Phlomist home) can order Aster-Zeneca’s flumist nasal spray vaccine for home delivery, self-administered by adults under the age of 50 or given to children aged two with parents or caregivers.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved Flomust in 2003 and authorized self-administration in September 2024. As for cost, in the United States, a retail flu shot without insurance can cost as little as $30 for a regular dose and up to $130 for a high-dose vaccine (recommended for people over 65).
The home flume option is covered by most commercial insurance, with a $8.99 shipping fee.
RSV
Vaccination is recommended for adults age 75 and older, and for adults 50 to 74 who are at increased risk of severe disease. A single RSV dose is estimated to protect older adults for at least two years.
To protect newborns, mothers can be immunized during pregnancy (usually 32–36 weeks) or given to babies after birth as an antibody shot.
For adults, the vaccine is available at any time, but late summer and early fall are considered optimal. For mothers, availability is usually from September to January. For newborns, the antibody shot is usually recommended from October to March.
Eligible adults should start getting it now, DuPont said, adding that it’s currently a one-time shot. In the United States, the RSV vaccine can cost about $350 without insurance, although assistance programs can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) guidance, countries generally choose one of two routes to protect newborns, either maternal RSV vaccination in late pregnancy (usually weeks 32–36) or a dose of long-acting monoclonal antibody to newborns, depending on local seasonality. Parents in Pakistan should discuss the most appropriate option with their gynecologist or paediatrician.
Beyond vaccines, the same practical steps can help: stay home when sick, avoid crowded indoor spaces during peaks, consider wearing a mask if you want to reduce exposure, and maintain good hand hygiene and cough etiquette.
Dr. Ren emphasized the role of frequent hand washing and sanitizing to break transmission through contaminated surfaces. DuPont added that good sleep and a balanced diet, “colorful fruits and vegetables,” or multivitamins, support immune health.
