With Flu Cases Increasing, It’s A Good Time to Get Vaccinated

We are seeing more positive flu tests in our region, meaning the flu might arrive early this year. Now is a great time to get vaccinated and have the best protection for yourself and your family against flu, COVID-19, and RSV. All vaccines recommended by the Washington State Department of Health are available to kids under age 19 for free and are covered by insurance providers operating here for people of all ages.

Here is what we recommend around vaccines this fall:

Flu Vaccines

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year. This includes pregnant people.

Important Note: If you are pregnant or have a weak immune system, you should not get the nasal spray flu vaccine. Please get the standard vaccine instead.
For Older Adults: Adults 65 and older have a few different flu vaccine choices that can give them extra protection. Talk with your doctor or provider about your best option.

Updated COVID-19 Vaccines

Everyone in Washington who is 6 months or older can get the updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall. Getting the vaccine is strongly recommended, especially if you are at a higher risk of getting very sick.

You are at a higher risk if you:

Are a child between 6 months and 23 months old
Have certain health problems (children and adults)
Are pregnant
Are 65 or older
Have never had a COVID-19 vaccine before

RSV Protection

Unlike the flu and COVID-19, the RSV vaccine is not a yearly vaccine. It is only given based on your age and health needs:

Older Adults: A one-time RSV vaccine is recommended for adults 75 and older.
At-Risk Adults: Adults ages 50 to 74 who have certain health problems or a weak immune system (this is a new update for 2026) should also get the vaccine.
Pregnancy & Babies: Pregnant people can get an RSV vaccine late in their pregnancy. This protects their newborn for the first few months of life. If a baby is not protected during pregnancy, they can get an RSV protective antibody after they are born.

No-Cost Vaccination Clinics

Whatcom County Health and Community Services provides no-cost childhood vaccines for kids 18 and younger, and for uninsured adults. Learn more on our immunization webpage.

You might also be able to get vaccinated at a pharmacy or doctor’s office. These other locations might need proof of insurance and/or out-of-pocket payment. Not all locations have all vaccines, so reach out to them first to confirm.

Got Questions? We’re Here to Help

If you have questions about vaccines, talk with your health care provider or reach out to us at [email protected] for free, confidential help.

“Vaccines are one of the simplest ways we can prevent serious illness,” said Whatcom County Health Officer Dr. Amy Harley. “A few minutes now can help keep you out of the doctor’s office or hospital later. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about scheduling your vaccines or find a vaccine event near you.”

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.