Vaccines widely available in NH for respiratory illnesses
Fall has arrived, which means coughs, colds and other illnesses are on the way, but New Hampshire health officials say vaccines for respiratory viruses will be widely available across the state this season.Dr. Gabriela Andujar, an epidemiologist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, said people should think “flu before boo” – getting shots before Halloween so they are effective throughout flu season.”When we start entering fall and winter, we start thinking about respiratory viruses,” Andujar said.To protect yourself from RSV, COVID-19 and the flu, Andujar recommends getting vaccinated. She said the shots reduce the risk of severe illness that could end with a hospital stay or even death.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<“It reduces the chances that you will get the infection itself, but it’s not 100%,” she said. “It changes depending on the season, particularly with flu, because it mutates quickly.”Health officials said the vaccines are widely available across the state. They recommend RSV vaccinations for older adults and infants under 8 months old, while the flu shot is available for anyone over 6 months old.The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for older adults, children under 2, pregnant women and anyone with an underlying health condition.”There’s always been discussions around vaccines and what’s beneficial for you and whether vaccines cause other complications, not only those side effects, but long-term issues,” Andujar said. “I will say in general, these are very widely studied before they even get into the market, with high-quality evidence.”The Department of Health and Human Services also advised washing your hands, covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and staying home if you’re sick to help prevent the spread of disease.
Fall has arrived, which means coughs, colds and other illnesses are on the way, but New Hampshire health officials say vaccines for respiratory viruses will be widely available across the state this season.
Dr. Gabriela Andujar, an epidemiologist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, said people should think “flu before boo” – getting shots before Halloween so they are effective throughout flu season.
“When we start entering fall and winter, we start thinking about respiratory viruses,” Andujar said.
To protect yourself from RSV, COVID-19 and the flu, Andujar recommends getting vaccinated. She said the shots reduce the risk of severe illness that could end with a hospital stay or even death.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
“It reduces the chances that you will get the infection itself, but it’s not 100%,” she said. “It changes depending on the season, particularly with flu, because it mutates quickly.”
Health officials said the vaccines are widely available across the state. They recommend RSV vaccinations for older adults and infants under 8 months old, while the flu shot is available for anyone over 6 months old.
The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for older adults, children under 2, pregnant women and anyone with an underlying health condition.
“There’s always been discussions around vaccines and what’s beneficial for you and whether vaccines cause other complications, not only those side effects, but long-term issues,” Andujar said. “I will say in general, these are very widely studied before they even get into the market, with high-quality evidence.”
The Department of Health and Human Services also advised washing your hands, covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and staying home if you’re sick to help prevent the spread of disease.
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