In the December 2024 edition of the Golden Gazette, Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, Director of Epidemiology and Population Health, Fairfax County Health Department, shared five things that you should know about COVID-19, flu, and RSV immunizations.

1. What are your biggest concerns about cold and flu season 24/25?

My biggest concern about the upcoming respiratory disease season is that people will think that because the pandemic is over that COVID-19 is no longer a threat and will choose not to get vaccinated. We saw this last year when many people in all age groups, including older adults, got vaccinated for flu but not for COVID-19. In fact, COVID-19 remains a significant cause of hospitalization and death in older adults. At this time, we don’t know how severe the respiratory disease season will be, but we do know that vaccination is particularly effective in preventing serious illness and hospitalization. Please don’t go out only half protected. Get both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines.  

2. What observations do you have in our "post pandemic" world?

“Post-pandemic” does not mean “COVID-19 free” or even “COVID-19 trivial.” COVID-19 remains a real threat, particularly to the health of older adults. Flu and COVID-19 illness can result in serious health consequences, disrupt holiday plans, and spread to loved ones and friends. Vaccines are safe and effective, widely available, and free for people who have health insurance or are on Medicare. [Low-cost options also are available for people who do not have health insurance through the local health department]. 

3. What is the reason for vaccine hesitance and what is your advice for people who feel that hesitancy? 

Some people don’t get vaccinated because of concerns about side effects of vaccination but many people don’t get vaccinated because it’s simply not convenient or a high enough priority to make the effort. For the latter group, my message is that getting vaccinated is easier than you may think. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, for example at your local pharmacy, both vaccines can be given at the same time, and costs are covered by insurance and Medicare. Getting a serious respiratory illness would be far more inconvenient than making the effort to get vaccinated.

For those who are concerned about a possible side effect, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she is concerned about your health and can provide the best science-based information to help you make a good decision – separating facts from misinformation that seem common or that we hear about so often lately. Know also that vaccine safety is not only studied before a vaccine is recommended, but studied afterwards as well, by independent experts in science, medicine, and public health. Over 600 million COVID-19 vaccinations have safely been given in the U.S. and over 13 billion worldwide. This experience provides strong data for the safety of COVID-19 vaccines (and flu vaccine has an even longer track record of safety).

4. What are the current recommendations for vaccines to prevent seasonal respiratory illnesses?

Both COVID-19 and influenza (flu) vaccines are recommended for everyone older than 6 months old. These two vaccines are especially important for older adults who are at highest risk of more serious illness, hospitalization, and even death. COVID-19 and flu vaccines are updated each year because the viruses change, making previous vaccines less effective, and because the immunity from vaccination decreases over time. Getting the new vaccines ensures the best protection. RSV vaccine also protects against serious respiratory illness in older adults. This vaccine is recommended for everyone 75 years old and older, and persons between 60-74 years old who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease. Unlike COVID-19 and flu vaccines, RSV vaccine is currently only given once. 

5. Who makes these recommendations, and can we trust them?

Vaccine recommendations are made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) which is comprised of experts in science, medicine, and public health. While the committee advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ACIP members are independent experts who consider the evidence in meetings that are open to the public. Before a vaccine is considered for recommendation, it has been rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness in large clinical studies, considered by an independent advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is approved by the FDA. Following licensure and recommendation, vaccines continue to be carefully studied to ensure that they are safe and effective in routine use. One can be confident in vaccines because the process of investigation, approval, and recommendation is rigorous, transparent, and independent. 

New CDC Guidance Recommends Second Dose COVID Vaccine for Some

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that individuals aged 65 and older, as well as those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, receive a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months after their initial dose. This guideline, endorsed by CDC Director Mandy Cohen, highlights the increased risk of severe disease for these groups and emphasizes the importance of maintaining vaccination to combat COVID-19 and its variants.

Additionally, individuals with weakened immune systems may receive additional doses based on shared decision-making with healthcare providers. Ongoing vaccination is crucial not only for reducing severe outcomes but also for minimizing the risk of Long COVID. Read more from the CDC.