FCPH urges respiratory immunizations now

Foster County Public Health (FCPH) is encouraging all community members over six months old to choose to be immunized against respiratory infections. Depending on your age and health factors, these could include influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19.

Respiratory infections often follow a seasonal pattern, with more cases in late fall and winter. During the 2022-2023 season, these viruses placed a heavy burden on families and health care systems.

People with certain chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, children under five, American Indians, and those older than age 65 are at higher risk of developing serious illness from respiratory infections. Immunizations may not prevent all infections but are the best way to protect against severe illness from respiratory infections. Everyone should act now and contact a trusted health care provider about immunization.

RSV Protection

For the first time, there are now immunizations available to protect against RSV for those 60 and older, and for infants. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), RSV leads to over 14,000 deaths among older adults each year, as well as 58,000 hospitalizations in children five and under. RSV immunization can offer protection from a virus that puts millions at risk every year.

RSV immunization is recommended for all infants born before or during the RSV season, which is typically October through March, and for children at increased risk of severe RSV who are entering their second RSV season, including severely immunocompromised children and American Indian children.

The RSV immunization for infants is a preventive antibody that provides short-term protection against RSV and hospitalization for about one RSV season.

Flu Protection

All North Dakotans six months and older are recommended to be immunized against influenza before the end of October. Because influenza activity can increase quickly and it can take up to two weeks to have the full benefit from the vaccine, now is the time to protect from severe flu.

During the 2022-2023 flu season, there were over 222,000 influenza-associated hospital admissions and 174 pediatric influenza-associated deaths in the United States.

COVID-19 Protection

While COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths remain low in comparison to 2021 and 2022, new variants continue to emerge, and hospitalizations related to COVID-19 are slowly trending upward nationwide. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available, and everyone six months and older is recommended to receive an updated vaccine.

Community-wide flu shot clinics will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 24 and 25, at the Carrington Elementary School entrance (Door 1) from 4-6:30 pm on both days. FCPH can review your records and see what additional immunizations you are eligible for, such as hepatitis A, tetanus, shingles, pneumonia, and RSV. Please bring your insurance card and photo ID.

For more information, contact Foster County Public Health at 701-652-3087.