Respiratory virus season is in full swing -- and so is the season for holiday celebrations when viruses are more likely to be spread.
According to the Oregon Health Authority, it's not too late to protect yourself and others from severe illness during the holidays by getting vaccinated and to know you'll be protected through the winter when people spend more time socializing indoors.
OHA officials said COVID-19 transmission in Oregon has been steady over the past month with a percent positivity of 9.3% for the first week of December. Omicron is still be predominant variant, and no single subvariant has emerged that is predicted to cause more severe disease. The rate of COVID-19-related hospitalizations in Oregon is predicted to remain stable into early January.
Respiratory syncytial virus -- or RSV -- transmission in Oregon is steadily increasing with a percent positivity of 7.9% for the first week of December. Some people 60 and older are eligible to receive the RSV vaccine after discussing it with their health care provider. Pregnant women from 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy during RSV season are recommended to receive the maternal RSV vaccine to protect their newborns.
Influenza transmission in Oregon remains low, but it is steadily increasing with a percent positivity of 3.5%. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) predicts a steady increase in flu-related hospitalizations in Oregon through the first week in January. Everyone six months and older is recommended to get a flu vaccination.
Find COVID-19 and flu vaccines at "vaccines.gov." Most retail pharmacies offer the RSV vaccine, which is covered by Medicare Part D, Oregon Health Plan and many private insurance plans at in-network providers. Vaccines for all three viruses can safely be given at the same time. If you get them separately, there is no necessary waiting period between vaccinations.
