JACKSON, Wyo. — To help Wyomingites stay healthy from influenza and COVID-19 this winter season, the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) issued a reminder on Friday, Nov. 1, to stay up to date on seasonal vaccines.
The WDH says that people can get a flu vaccine and updated COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. The vaccines change over time to help ensure the best possible match to currently circulating virus strains, according to WDH.
“Wyoming should expect influenza, COVID-19 and other familiar respiratory viruses to be a threat over the coming months,” WDH State Health Officer and State Epidemiologist Dr. Alexia Harrist said via press release. “We are already starting to receive sporadic reports of flu activity and COVID-19 has never really gone away.”
Influenza and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses. Symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, extreme tiredness and muscle or body aches depending on the virus and on the person.
Harrist said in the statement that it can take up to two weeks for the vaccines to fully kick in, so it’s best not to wait to get vaccinated. The WDH recommends seasonal flu shots and updated COVID-19 vaccines for everyone six months of age and older. According to WDH, these vaccines are an important protection strategy to reduce and help prevent serious illness.
“Most healthy people recover from respiratory illnesses, but still have an unpleasant experience that can mean missing work, school or other activities,” Harrist said. “We also know that anyone may pass along a virus to other people who may be at high risk for serious complications and illness.”
According to the WDH, another vaccine to consider is aimed at respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV does not usually cause severe illness in most people, but some people, especially older adults and infants younger than six months, can become very sick and might need to be hospitalized. WDH advises that people ages 60 years and older and expectant parents or parents of infants should consult their medical professional to see if the RSV vaccine is recommended for them.
Vaccines are available in many locations, including local public health nursing offices, workplaces, doctors’ offices, pharmacies and retail stores. The vaccines are covered by most insurance plans. One option to help find flu or COVID-19 vaccines is to visit vaccines.gov. WDH recommends confirming vaccine availability before visiting a specific local office, clinic or pharmacy.
A listing for free to no cost public vaccine programs for eligible patients can be found here.
