Montage Health strongly encourages respiratory vaccinations like flu, RSV, and COVID-19 this fall
There are things we can do to reduce our chances of getting or spreading respiratory viruses, including washing our hands frequently, masking when in places with higher risk for exposure, gathering in well-ventilated or outdoor areas, staying home and isolating when you are sick, and getting vaccinated.
The annual flu vaccine is safe to get at the same time you get your updated booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. While the flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, vaccination against one does not protect against the other, and neither vaccine interferes with the effectiveness of the other.
This year the CDC again recommends getting both an annual flu vaccine and the updated 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine. The RSV vaccine does not require a booster and is still recommended for people who are at high risk for serious illness who have not yet had it. Pregnant people, people 75 or older, and people over 60 with certain medical conditions like chronic lung disease are recommended to get a single dose of the RSV vaccine.
In preparation for this year’s respiratory virus season, most Montage Health employees will receive the annual flu shot before the end of October. Why do we do it? First, to protect our patients. The flu can be transmitted to someone else 24 hours before symptoms even appear. Some people with the flu don’t even exhibit all the symptoms. Second, we do not want to miss work. A typical flu can keep a healthcare worker out for up to seven days. We want to be here to care for our patients.
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Vaccine myths
You cannot get infected from these vaccines because none contain infectious virus. Vaccination may cause some people to feel feverish, achy, and run down — symptoms commonly associated with viruses. But these symptoms after vaccination are mild, short-lived, and an indicator that the immune system is working to make antibodies to protect you in case you are exposed.
Getting infected is not better than getting vaccinated. Each year influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths. Even mild illness causes significant disruption to work and school routines and can adversely affect social and holiday gatherings. Many people wait to get the vaccine thinking that if they get it later, it will better cover them the whole season. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to work at its full potential, and some people get exposed and sick during that time.
Don’t wait for infections to be widespread in the community before getting vaccinated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best time to get respiratory virus vaccines is in September or October.
Protect yourself and your loved ones
Flu, RSV, and COVID-19 vaccines are readily available in our community, and most insurance companies reimburse 100 percent of the cost.
Visit montagehealth.org/respiratory for locations to get vaccinated, plus more tips and resources. We encourage you to be fully vaccinated — not only to protect yourself, but to protect those around you.
