DHS Urges Wisconsinites to Protect Themselves Against Respiratory Viruses This Holiday Season

Holidays are a busy time for travel, gathering with family and friends, and getting sick. Vaccines are safe, effective, and the best way to stay healthy. Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) data show only 22% of Wisconsinites have received a flu shot this season, and just 11% have received an updated COVID-19 vaccine. With flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 cases starting to rise, now is the time to get a vaccine.

"Any time is a good time to get vaccinated, but if you haven't yet, at least two weeks ahead of holiday gatherings is really the best time to get vaccinated," said DHS Immunization Program Manager Dr. Stephanie Schauer. "It takes a couple weeks after getting a vaccine for your body to build protection against these viruses, which can protect you from getting really sick and can help prevent you from spreading illness to others."

DHS and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommend the following respiratory vaccines:

• Flu: Recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
• COVID-19: Recommended for everyone 6 months and older. People 65 years and older and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised are recommended to receive a second dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine six months after the first dose.
• RSV: Recommended for pregnant people, young children under 9 months, and adults 75 years and older. Young children ages 9-19 months and adults ages 60-74 with increased risk of RSV are also encouraged to get immunized.

"Wisconsin tends to see an uptick in flu, RSV, and COVID-19 related hospitalizations after the November holidays as we head into December," said DHS Respiratory Disease Epidemiologist Tom Haupt. "If you are planning to gather for the holidays and are feeling sick, stay home and talk to a doctor about getting tested for COVID-19, influenza, RSV, or other respiratory viruses."

To find and schedule a vaccine, Wisconsin residents are encouraged to check with their primary care provider, local or Tribal health department, community clinic, or visit vaccines.gov. Wisconsinites can also call 211 or 877-947-2211 for help scheduling a vaccine appointment. If they do not have health insurance, or their health insurance does not cover vaccines, there are programs that can help, including the Vaccines for Children program and Vaccines for Adults program.

In addition to getting recommended vaccines, other things can prevent respiratory illnesses, including washing hands regularly, cleaning surfaces, gathering outside if possible or bringing outside air in, eating healthy, exercising, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough rest.

Find information about COVID-19, the flu, and RSV on the DHS website. Additional information about the 2024-2025 respiratory season can be found in the DHS Weekly Respiratory Report or on the DHS Respiratory Illness Data webpage.

Learn more about vaccine safety and how they work on the Get the Facts About Vaccines webpage.