WVU care providers encourage healthy practices ahead of respiratory illness season

As cooler temperatures arrive and the landscape changes across the region, West Virginia Universityhealth experts and care providers encourage residents to practice prevention to promote health and safety in communities across the state in preparation for respiratory illness season.

Influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, are common, especially in the fall and winter, and vaccination is recommended to help prevent serious illness from all three viruses, reduce widespread illness and lessen the burden on the health care system.

Vaccinations for flu, COVID-19 and RSV are currently available and are the best way to prevent severe illness. To ensure protection throughout respiratory illness season, individuals should complete vaccination by the end of October. However, it is important to protect against illness at any time and vaccination later in the season is still recommended. It takes approximately two weeks following vaccination for antibodies to develop and provide protection against infection.

"The best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community against viruses and other illnesses is to get vaccinated," Dr. Carmen Burrell, medical director of WVU Student Health Services and Urgent Care, said. "The flu vaccine is one of the most effective ways to reduce the severity of illness, hospitalizations and death, particularly in those who are vulnerable."

Widespread flu vaccination has been utilized as an important public health intervention in the United States for more than 75 years. Each year, the vaccine is updated to protect against the virus strains that are expected to circulate and cause illness in the upcoming season. Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone six months and older, with rare exceptions, and it is particularly important for individuals with conditions that could put them at higher risk for serious complications. For the 2023-24 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a record number of pediatric deaths attributed to influenza.

Similar to the annual flu vaccine formulation, the COVID-19 vaccine is updated to protect against current variants of the virus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a newly updated vaccine in August. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone six months and older, with rare exceptions. In addition to protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death, vaccination helps lower the risk of long COVID.

Last year, the FDA approved use of the first RSV vaccine for people 60 years and older and individuals who are pregnant. In addition, an injectable monoclonal antibody that protects against severe RSV is recommended for infants and certain young children. Medical experts in the WVU Pediatric Research Unitwere involved in clinical trials to support its development. The vaccine and monoclonal antibody medication protect individuals who are at high risk for severe disease caused by RSV, including life-threatening pneumonia and bronchiolitis. The RSV vaccine is currently not an annual vaccine, meaning older individuals who received the vaccine last year do not need to get another dose at this time.

"As a pediatrician and a parent myself, I want to underscore how important it is to make sure your child receives all age-appropriate immunizations," Dr. Lisa Costello, a WVU Medicinepediatrician and assistant professor in the WVU School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, said. "Getting all immunizations when due protects our children and our community of parents, grandparents, teachers and caregivers."

Individuals with questions regarding vaccines should communicate with their health care provider. WVU students can reach out to Student Health at 304-285-7200.

WVU Medicine Urgent Care offers flu and COVID-19 vaccination opportunities on a walk-in basis. Individuals can also find many walk-in and appointment-based opportunities for all three vaccines in their local community, including primary care providers, local pharmacies and community clinics. To ensure vaccine availability, such as the high-dose influenza vaccine intended for individuals ages 65 and older, individuals may want to call ahead.

To receive a flu vaccine, the campus community can visit an upcoming campus clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 9), Oct. 16 and Oct. 30 in the Student Rec Center or Thursday (Oct. 10), Oct. 17 and Oct. 29 in the Mountainlair Shenandoah Room or WVU Student Health Serviceslocated on the Evansdale area of campus during normal operating hours.

In addition to vaccination, individuals should follow best practices to prevent all three respiratory illnesses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches the eyes, nose or mouth.

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or the bend of your elbow, not your hands.

• Wear a mask to help lower the risk of respiratory virus transmission.

• Avoid contact with individuals who are sick, when possible.

Following these tips and getting all recommended immunizations when due is the best way to protect yourself and our communities this respiratory illness season.

-WVU-

ds/jw/10/8/24

MEDIA CONTACT: Jessica Wilmoth
Senior Communications Specialist
WVU Health Sciences Communications and Marketing
304-293-9528; [email protected]

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