Sept. 15, 2023

Stay a step ahead of respiratory illnesses this fall

Learn about flu shots, the updated 2023-2024 COVID vaccines, RSV prevention, and other steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. 

Last fall and winter, Kitsap experienced waves of respiratory illnesses, as flu, COVID-19, RSV and other viruses spread throughout the community. 

A nationwide surge of respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, led to a rise in cases among young children. Flu activity rebounded after two seasons with very little flu reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Looking ahead to this fall and winter, public health officials are concerned that there could be an increase in COVID-19 cases, with new variants of the virus circulating. We continue to closely monitor COVID-19 trends in Kitsap. 

As summer turns to autumn, now is a great time to prepare yourself and your household for respiratory illness season. Scroll down to find tips for protecting your health and visit our respiratory illness page for more resources. 

DOWNLOAD OUR RESPIRATORY ILLNESS SEASON FACT SHEET Download a respiratory illness season fact sheet that you can print and share. Visit our respiratory illnesses page for more tips and resources.

When should I get a flu shot?

As soon as you can! Flu vaccines are widely available in Kitsap. Contact your healthcare provider or a pharmacy in your area or check vaccines.gov to set up an appointment. Flu vaccines are free for children younger than 19 and are fully covered by most insurance plans. 

A yearly flu vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older. Flu vaccines help prevent you from getting flu and can make your illness more mild if you do get sick. Yearly vaccination is especially important for people who are at higher risk for severe illness from flu, including young children, older adults, people who are pregnant, and people who have chronic health conditions. 

What's new with COVID-19 vaccines?

Updated COVID-19 vaccines will be available this fall. The FDA and CDC have authorized and recommended updated "2023-2024" vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna. These vaccines were designed to provide better protection against variants of the COVID virus that are spreading now. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. 

It will take some time before the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines are available locally. The state Department of Health expects providers to begin offering the new vaccines over the next few weeks. Supplies could be limited at first and not all providers who provided earlier COVID-19 vaccines may offer the new vaccines. Check with your healthcare provider or visit our COVID-19 website for updates. 

As part of the authorization process for the 2023-2024 vaccines, the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines are no longer authorized for use. This means providers have paused offering Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccination until the 2023-2024 vaccines become available. 

Kitsap Public Health has paused accepting Pfizer and Moderna appointments at its Bremerton clinic. 

Can I still get COVID-19 tests?

Now is also a good time to stock up on over-the-counter COVID-19 tests. Tests are available from many pharmacies and retailers. Healthcare providers can also provide testing. If you test positive for COVID-19, follow CDC guidance and stay home for at least five days. 

Have COVID-19 tests that have expired? Expired tests are typically still OK to use as long as the control or "C" line still appears when you use the test. Learn more.

If you need tests for your organization, contact Kitsap Public Health at [email protected] or 360-728-2007.

What about protection from RSV?

RSV, is a common respiratory illness with symptoms similar to colds. While RSV usually causes mild illness, it can cause severe illness, especially among infants and older adults. 

New immunization options are available to protect people at highest risk from RSV: 

• Adults 60 and older can receive a single dose of RSV vaccine. 
• Monoclonal antibody products are available to help protect children younger than 2 years old from RSV. 

Visit the CDC's website learn more about these options and who they are recommended for. Or, contact your healthcare provider. 

What else can I do to avoid getting sick?

Graphic courtesy U.S. Health and Human Services.

In addition to staying up to date on immunizations, you can take simple steps every day to avoid getting or spreading the viruses that cause common respiratory illnesses. 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds 
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, including sharing cups and utensils
• Clean frequently touched surfaces like mobile devices
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow
• Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces

Learn more about symptoms and prevention for colds, flu, RSV and COVID-19.

It's also important to take care of your overall health by eating healthy, staying active, getting sleep and managing stress. See our recent bulletin with tips for keeping your body and mind active during fall and winter months. 

MORE RESOURCES

• Kitsap Public Health District Respiratory Illnesses page
• Kitsap Respiratory Illness Report & State Respiratory Illness Dashboard
• Washington State Department of Health Flu Overview
• CDC Respiratory Virus Updates

CONTACT:

Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer
Kitsap Public Health District
360-728-2330 - office | 360-728-2235 - main
[email protected] | kitsappublichealth.org