Prepare for the Fall and Winter Seasons
Fall is here, and so is respiratory illness season. Risk less by practicing healthy habits and getting this season's vaccines, so you can do more!
Vaccines
Flu Vaccines
- What to know: It’s approved and recommended for everyone 6 months and older. It's especially important for people at high risk for severe illness from flu.
What to do: You can get it now from your doctor or a pharmacy.
RSV Vaccines
- What to know: It’s a one-time shot, approved and recommended for:
- Everyone 75 and older
- People 50–74 with certain health conditions (like chronic illness, severe obesity, weakened immune systems, or those living in nursing homes)
- Pregnant people who are 32–36 weeks along and due between September and January
- Some babies born during RSV season if their mother didn’t get the vaccine during pregnancy
COVID-19 Vaccines
- What to Know: It's approved for everyone 6 months +. Ask your doctor or a pharmacist for the shot if you want it.
- Deciding if the shot is right for you or your child? The CDC has recommended people have individual conversations with a provider about getting the shot. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Academy of Family Physicians have collectively recommended the shot for every person age 6 months and older, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Where to Get It: Get it from your doctor or a pharmacy. Alexandria Health Department is not stocking COVID-19 vaccines at this time.
- Note on COVID-19 vaccines for children under 3 years old.
- Pharmacists cannot give COVID-19 vaccines to children under 3.
- Uninsured children can get vaccinated at AHD. Call 703.746.4888 to make an appointment.
- Insured children cannot get vaccinated at AHD. Parents should:
- Call their child’s doctor to ask if they offer the COVID-19 vaccine. (Some doctors may not have it this year due to cost.)
- Visit a CVS Minute Clinic, which offers vaccines for children 18 months and older.
- AHD is working to provide more information about vaccine options for insured children ages 6 to 18 months.
- Note on COVID-19 vaccines for children under 3 years old.
Healthy Habits
Vaccines are just one way to keep yourself and others feeling healthy. You can stop the spread of germs!
- Regularly wash your hands. Use sanitizer if you can’t wash with soap and water.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes. If you use a tissue, throw it away immediately, then wash your hands.
- Consider your health and CDC respiratory virus guidance when making plans to be around other people. You can still mask!
- Encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to regularly practice safety.
If You Get Sick
Stay Home
If you think you’re sick, stay home and take a test to figure out your next steps. Keep your loved ones and children home if they are sick.
Free and low cost COVID-19 tests are still available.
If you have underlying health conditions, let your doctor know you are sick. Your doctor may ask you to take a COVID test or a test for another virus to determine what you have and what to do next.
Get Tested
Treatments are available to help you feel better and prevent severe illness.
Your doctor may prescribe antiviral treatments for illness due to COVID-19 and the flu if:
- You seek treatment early.
- Your doctor is concerned that you have a high risk for severe illness.
If you need help finding treatment, call AHD at 703.746.4988.
Parent's Corner
Young children have a higher risk of severe illness if they are infected with a respiratory illness. Help kids have a healthy, fun fall with the following steps:
- Make an immunization plan with your child's doctor. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available for children 6 months and older. An immunization for RSV is available for babies and some children.
Wondering if your child is up-to-date? Check out the CDC recommendations for children and adolescents.
- Make vaccine visits less stressful with these tips from the CDC.
- Teach children how to wash hands and cover their coughs and sneezes. Be a healthy role model!
- If your child gets sick, keep them home! Check in with your child's doctor about treatment and ways to feel better like rest and over-the-counter medicine..
Stay Informed - and Spread the Word
- Visit the CDC’s Respiratory Illness website..
- Sign up for eNews to get important health updates or follow AHD on social media.
- Spread information, not germs! Print and/or share our flyer (English, Espanol, አማርኛ, دری).