With the onset of fall, we’re talking this time with Dr. Adam Weston, an infectious disease physician at Lowell General Hospital about the flu and getting vaccinated.
Q: Dr. Weston, as cold and flu season approaches, what vaccines should people in Greater Lowell be thinking about right now, and who should be getting them?
A: The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends two key vaccines for most people right now: influenza (flu) and COVID-19. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. COVID-19 guidance is slightly more specific, but in general, most people should receive it. For adults 75 and older, as well as pregnant women, the RSV vaccine is also recommended. Adults between 50 and 74 with certain high-risk factors should talk to their doctor about whether the RSV vaccine is right for them.
Q: How different are these vaccines from year to year? How long does protection last?
A: Immunity is relatively short-lived, lasting roughly 6 to 12 months and waning over time. By the time you’re due for your next vaccine, your protection has faded. At their core, the vaccines are very similar from year to year. The changes are slight adjustments designed to match the strains of virus anticipated to circulate each season.
Q: When is the best time to get vaccinated, and can people receive the flu and COVID vaccines at the same time? How long does protection last?
A: The only real mistake you can make is not getting vaccinated at all. There’s no clear data pointing to an ideal time within the fall season. The goal is simply to get your vaccine before cold and flu season really ramps up. Immunity generally lasts throughout the season if you get it in the fall, so whatever is most convenient for you works. And yes, you can absolutely get the flu and COVID vaccines at the same time.
Q: Where can people find these vaccines, and is cost a barrier?
A: Most pharmacies can provide both the flu and COVID vaccines, and insurance generally covers them with little to no cost. Your primary care physician or clinician is also a great option. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health maintains a vaccine finder website that can direct you to nearby locations, and there are a variety of flu vaccine clinics offered throughout the community. There’s no reason cost or access should stand between you and getting protected.
Q: What about the RSV vaccine for older adults?
A: The RSV vaccine is currently recommended for adults 75 and older and for pregnant women. Adults between 50 and 74 with certain high-risk factors should also discuss it with their doctor.
Q: For people who might be on the fence about getting vaccinated, what do you say to them? And what else can people do to stay healthy during cold and flu season?
A: Vaccines are the single most effective medical intervention in the history of humanity to prevent disease. They’re the reason we no longer worry about diseases like yellow fever, which was still a problem in the United States a century ago. You can always find stories about potential side effects. There is no medicine or drug that has zero side effects, but the benefits of vaccines far outweighs any potential risks, not only to the individual but to society at large.
Beyond vaccination, the basics matter: wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, and wear a mask if you’re feeling ill — wearing a mask protects others from you. And if you are sick, staying away from others is always the right thing to do when you can.
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