The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department reminds the community that flu vaccination along with COVID-19 vaccination are critical in reducing the overall impact of respiratory illnesses on the community. The updated, more protective flu vaccines and COVID-19 boosters are available broadly for those eligible. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommend that all people six months of age and older receive a flu vaccine every year. It is also critical for everyone ages 5 and up to receive the updated COVID-19 booster if it has been two months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, regardless of the type of dose received.

Respiratory infections, including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), are on the rise in California, including here in Santa Barbara county. Persons with RSV infection typically have fever, cough, wheezing and runny nose. Infants and young children may be irritable, lethargic, feed poorly and have no fever. Persons may have RSV if they have respiratory symptoms and test negative for COVID-19 or flu. Although no vaccines are available to prevent RSV infections, antiviral treatments can be offered, especially for those at high risk for severe disease such as infants and older adults.   

Flu and COVID-19 vaccination reduce the risk of disease, hospitalization and death. It’s important to consider that it takes about two weeks after vaccination to develop antibodies that offer protection.

Locate flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine providers in Santa Barbara County at https://www.vaccines.gov/.

For more information about local COVID-19 impacts, flu season reports, and preventing respiratory illness, visit http://sbcphd.org/.