New York State Department of Health Urges New Yorkers to Protect Themselves From Respiratory Illness Ahead of the Holidays

Safe and Effective Vaccines Are Available to Protect Against Influenza, COVID, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Find a Flu Vaccine Here and a COVID Vaccine Here

RSV Information Available Here

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 16, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health wishes everyone a safe and healthy holiday season, with a reminder that vaccines are available to protect against flu (influenza), COVID, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), ahead of holiday gatherings and travel.

"We have safe and effective vaccines available to protect against COVID, influenza and RSV, so we encourage you to take action for your health and get vaccinated ahead of the holidays," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Gathering with loved ones is what this season is all about, so it would be a shame for someone to miss out because they're sick or hospitalized."

The flu vaccine is available to those aged 6 months and older. Those aged 65 years and older, people with certain chronic medical conditions, young children and infants, and pregnant people are at higher risk of developing serious complications from the flu, which could require hospitalization and result in death. So far this season, there have been no pediatric flu-associated deaths in the state.

Members of the public can follow the latest New York State flu trends on the Department's Flu Tracker, which provides timely information about local, regional, and statewide influenza activity. For those who get the flu, antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu, can be prescribed by health care providers and can reduce the length and severity of the illness.

A vaccine is available for RSV for older adults and for people who are pregnant. It's important for New Yorkers who are 75 years and older to get vaccinated. Those who are 60 to 74 years of age should talk with their health care providers to see if the RSV vaccine is right for them. Only one dose of RSV vaccine is needed.

People who are pregnant can protect their infant from RSV by getting a maternal vaccine. Pregnant people should contact their obstetrician/gynecologist for more information. In addition, there is now an immunization available for newborns and young infants called nirsevamab. This is made up of antibodies against RSV that are protective. Newborns can get nirsevamab in the hospital after birth. Other infants who are younger than 8 months and those who are 8 to 19 months of age and have certain medical conditions are eligible and can get it in the doctor's office; talk to a pediatrician or health care provider.

In August, the Department announced a statewide standing order allowing pharmacists in New York State to administer the RSV vaccination to individuals 60 and older and pregnant people without a separate prescription from their physician. Those who get RSV should contact a health care provider. Hydrating and over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers can help manage symptoms.

The updated 2024-25 COVID vaccine is formulated to more closely target the JN.1 lineage of the Omicron variant and covers most of the current viral strains that are seen in New York and the U.S. The updated vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months or older who has not received a 2024-2025 updated COVID vaccine to protect against potentially serious illness. Commissioner Dr. McDonald issued a standing order for this vaccine as well allowing eligible New Yorkers to receive the COVID vaccine at any pharmacy without a separate prescription from their physician. A second dose is recommended for adults ages 65 and older and for those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. Children aged 3 years and up can get the vaccine from a pharmacist or a healthcare provider. Children aged 6 months - 3 years can get it from their healthcare provider.

Individuals who have symptoms should test for COVID, and those who test positive should contact their health care provider about possible treatments, which have been shown effective at reducing the chances of serious outcomes. More information on treatment options can be found here.

It's safe, effective, and convenient to get all three vaccines at the same time in the same appointment.

Find a nearby flu vaccine here, and a nearby COVID vaccine here.

Information about the flu is available here, including fact sheets and other downloadable materials.

The COVID webpage has information on COVID symptoms & prevention, testing, and treatment.

Information about RSV vaccination for older adults 60 years of age and over can be found here.

Information about nirsevamab can be found here.

More information on RSV can be found here.

Information about vaccine efficacy and safety can be found here.