The return to school is not the only thing that arrives with fall. King County health officials remind residents that fall and winter are also when respiratory illnesses tend to peak, including COVID-1, which also had a good run from May through July. Updated vaccines for the 2024-2025 respiratory illness season are now making their way to local pharmacies and clinics. In a recent post on Public Health Insider, the county health department blog, Dr. Eric Chow offered vaccine recommendations and insights about the 2024-2025 immunizations for COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Dr. Chow is the Chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology & Immunization for Public Health — Seattle & King County. Here’s that Q & A:
Public Health Insider (PHI): Which vaccines should we get for this respiratory illness season?
Dr. Eric Chow (EC): I recommend that everyone aged six months and older get updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Updated vaccines provide additional protection against new strains of these viruses. That’s true even if you’ve had vaccines, boosters, or infections in the past.
RSV immunizations protect people at highest risk for severe illness: infants and older adults.
I recommend RSV immunizations for these high-risk groups:
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- All adults aged 75 years and older and adults aged 60-74 years who are at increased risk of severe RSV complications.
- Pregnant people between 32-36 weeks of pregnancy during the RSV season (September to January). Vaccines given to pregnant people provide protection against severe RSV illness in newborns.
- Infants during the RSV season
- Less than 8 months of age and birth parent did not receive the RSV vaccine
- 8-19 months of age who are at increased risk for severe RSV illness
PHI: What if I got an RSV vaccine last year? Should I get another one?
EC: If you’ve already gotten an RSV vaccine, you don’t need another dose. If you got an RSV vaccine in your last pregnancy and are now pregnant again, you don’t need to get re-vaccinated, but your baby should get the infant RSV immunization at birth.
PHI: Why should I get another COVID-19 vaccine if I’ve already had COVID-19 or been vaccinated before?
EC: Just like the influenza virus, COVID-19 can be sneaky. It continues to change over time and develops new ways to get around our immune system. Newer strains can still cause severe illness and complications like long COVID. The updated vaccines help your body fight these newer strains.
Most people who were recently infected with COVID-19 can wait up to three months before getting the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. Some people who are at higher risk should think about getting vaccinated sooner. You should talk to your healthcare provider about the best choice for you.
If you got a COVID-19 vaccine recently, you should wait at least two months until you get the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 shot.
PHI: How effective are fall and winter vaccines?
EC: You might still get infected after vaccination, but you’re much less likely to experience severe disease or complications from the flu, COVID-19, or RSV. When you get vaccinated during pregnancy, you’re less likely to be hospitalized or have complications. And your baby benefits too! They’ll get protection during the first few months of life, when they’re too young to be vaccinated.
Although these vaccines are very effective, the immunity you get from COVID-19 and flu vaccines can decrease over time. That’s why it’s so important to get the updated versions. They’ll give you the best protection for the upcoming season. I feel confident knowing that if I did catch the flu or COVID-19, I’m less likely to experience severe illness and my symptoms will improve faster because I’m vaccinated. Each year, I make sure that I’m vaccinated in September or October before respiratory illnesses start ramping up.
PHI: Where can I get the updated vaccines?
EC: Some pharmacies and clinics are taking appointments now. We expect that vaccines will be widely available in the next few weeks. Call ahead to see if they’re available at your pharmacy or provider. It’s safe to get the flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines at the same time so you can get multiple vaccines to save yourself the extra trip!
Here are some options:
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- Healthcare providers, including Community Health Centers (CHCs)
- Pharmacies
- School Based Health Centers (for school-aged children)
- Department of Health Care-a-Van vaccination events
- School and community-located clinics for children
- In-home COVID-19 vaccination, available for anyone who has difficulty leaving home due to a disability, health condition, injury, or other special circumstance. Call 206-848-0243 or email vaccineinfo@kingcounty.gov to schedule an appointment.
PHI: Where can I get vaccinated if I don’t have insurance?
EC: If you don’t have health insurance, you have options! I strongly recommend calling ahead to check on vaccine availability. Options include:
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- Uninsured adults can get no-cost COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccine through Washington State’s Adult Vaccine Program (AVP).
- Find a provider using the Washington State Department of Health’s (DOH) map (note that some information may be outdated).
- Many Community Health Centers (CHCs) participate in the AVP and serve uninsured patients. Sea Mar Community Health Centers accepts patients who are not enrolled at Sea Mar. Other CHCs require you to enroll as a patient.
- The Washington State Department of Health Care-a-Van clinics offer COVID-19 and flu vaccine for all ages (when available).
- Go Vax Kids is hosting school and community-located vaccination events. You can get your vaccines at no cost for children who live in South King County, as well as children who are experiencing homelessness, are uninsured, or have recently moved to the U.S. and don’t have a healthcare provider. Limited vaccines are available for uninsured adults. See upcoming events at kingcounty.gov/findaclinic.
- If you need health insurance or help finding a provider, contact the Community Health Access Program (chap@kingcounty.gov or 1-800-756-5437).
- Uninsured adults can get no-cost COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccine through Washington State’s Adult Vaccine Program (AVP).
PHI: What else should I know about fall and winter vaccines?
EC: Nobody wants to miss out on their favorite activities if they get sick. I look forward to traveling to my hometown in California to spend time with family by the beach, but some of my family members are high risk for severe illness. I know that if I get vaccinated, I’m able to help keep myself and others protected. And, if I do end up still getting sick, I won’t miss out for very long. The last thing I want is for an illness to keep me away from family and friends!
Read more:
School prep: No-charge back-to-school vaccination clinics
Even with community immunity, Long COVID remains a threat to kids
