Stay healthy this holiday season: Experts recommend vaccinations and preventative care

RACINE, WI – If you made it through the Thanksgiving holiday free from illness, now is the time to make sure you get through the holiday season feeling merry and cheerful.

Doctors say it may take a few weeks for the vaccines to work. Therefore, one of the best ways to protect yourself from illness is to make sure you are up to date on your COVID-19, RSV and flu vaccinations.

“Wisconsin tends to see an increase in hospitalizations related to flu, RSV and COVID-19 following the November holidays,” said Tom Haupt, respiratory disease epidemiologist with the Department of Health Services (DHS). “If you plan to gather over the holidays and feel sick, stay home and talk to a doctor about getting tested for COVID-19, influenza, RSV or other respiratory viruses.”

Cases of flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 are increasing. As of mid-November, only 22 percent of Wisconsin residents had received a flu shot and 11 percent had received the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

“Any time is a good time to get vaccinated, but if you haven’t already, at least two weeks before the holidays is the best time to get vaccinated,” Dr. Stephanie Schauer, head of the vaccination program at the Department of Health Services (DHS). “After vaccination, it takes a few weeks for your body to build up protection against these viruses, which can prevent you from getting really sick and help prevent you from spreading the disease to others.”

The DHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following vaccines:

• Flu: For everyone 6 months and older.
• COVID-19: For everyone aged 6 months and over. People aged 65 and over and those with moderate or severe immunodeficiency should receive a second dose of the updated vaccine six months after the first.
• RSV: For pregnant women, children under 9 months and adults aged 75 and over. Infants (ages 9 to 19 months) and adults (ages 60 to 74) who are at higher risk are also encouraged to get vaccinated.

To schedule a vaccine, Wisconsin residents can contact their primary care provider, local or tribal health department, a community clinic, or visit vaccines.gov. For those without health insurance or if insurance does not cover vaccinations, programs such as Vaccines for Children and Vaccines for Adults are available.

Beyond vaccinations, preventative measures include regular handwashing, cleaning surfaces, meeting outdoors when possible, eating a healthy diet, exercising, staying hydrated, and getting enough rest.

READ MORE: Holiday Health: How to Maintain Mental and Physical Wellness During the Holidays