Reading Time: 4 minutes

What you need to know

• Immunizations against COVID-19, the flu and RSV are available now. Recommendations vary depending on your age, health and other risk factors.
• Earlier in the fall is a good time to get vaccinated against respiratory viruses, and you can get multiple vaccines at the same appointment.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that COVID-19, the flu and RSV could cause a similar number of hospitalizations this fall and winter as they did last season.

Last fall and winter, the U.S. experienced its highest levels of respiratory illness in more than 25 years. According to preliminary data from the CDC, millions of people were infected with the flu, at least 390,000 were hospitalized for it, and 24,000 died from it. This year, the agency predicts that COVID-19, the flu and RSV could cause a similar number of cases and hospitalizations. 

The good news is that immunizations to protect against all three viruses are now available, and most eligible people can get them for free.

“Respiratory viruses sicken and even kill thousands of people every year,” Dr. Preeti Malani, infectious disease physician and professor at the University of Michigan, tells Public Good News. “Vaccination is a safe and effective way to help prevent illness and prevent severe illness.”

Read on to learn more about the immunizations available, who should get them this season and when. 

Which immunizations are available this fall and winter, and who are they recommended for?

Updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines are available this respiratory virus season, along with RSV immunizations for certain groups. This year, a new mRNA flu vaccine option, Moderna’s mFlusiva, is available for people 50 and older.

We talked to experts about the immunization options for each virus and who they’re recommended for, following guidance from major medical associations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

COVID-19

Who should get the vaccine?

• All adults 19 and older, especially those 65 and over and people at higher risk of severe COVID-19, such as people with diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung diseases, or cancer.
• Children ages 6 to 23 months. Malani explains that young children “have lost immunity provided by their mothers after birth and their own immune system is still immature.” 
• Children and teens ages 2 to 18 years who are at increased risk of severe COVID-19, have never been vaccinated or live with someone at high risk. Vaccination is also an option for other children whose parents want them protected.
• People who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, says that these maternal antibodies can help protect newborns.

What COVID-19 vaccines are available this season?

mRNA vaccines: Made by Pfizer and Moderna, these vaccines give your cells instructions to produce a harmless piece of the virus, which helps your immune system recognize and fight it.

Protein-based vaccine: Novavax offers a vaccine that uses a protein from the virus to trigger an immune response. This may appeal to people who prefer a vaccine without mRNA technology.

Both types help protect against severe COVID-19, and neither is generally recommended over the other for people who are eligible for both.

Flu

Who should get the vaccine? 

• Everyone 6 months and older. 
• Vaccination is especially important for young children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with certain underlying health conditions.

What flu vaccines are available this season?

Standard flu shots: These are appropriate for most people ages 6 months and older. Some are made using eggs, while others are egg-free. People with egg allergies can generally get any flu vaccine, including egg-based vaccines, because they contain only a very small amount of egg protein. However, your doctor may recommend that you wait after your vaccine for observation as an extra precaution.

Nasal spray vaccine: FluMist is a needle-free option for eligible people ages 2 to 49 years old. It can also be administered at home in some states, but it isn’t recommended for people who are pregnant or immunocompromised or have certain other medical conditions.

Vaccines for older adults: Adults 65 and older are advised to get an enhanced flu vaccine, which is designed to produce a stronger immune response or may offer better protection than standard-dose vaccines. These include high-dose, recombinant, adjuvanted, and mRNA vaccine options.

New mRNA flu vaccine: mFlusiva is the first mRNA flu vaccine, approved for adults 50 and older. Clinical trials found it was more effective than a standard-dose flu vaccine, although that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better than other vaccines recommended for older adults.

RSV

Who should get an immunization?

• All adults 75 and older. 
• Adults ages 50 to 74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV because of underlying health conditions or other risk factors.
• People who are 32 to 36 weeks pregnant during RSV season, generally September through January in most of the U.S., to help protect their babies after birth.
• Infants younger than 8 months entering their first RSV season whose birthing parent was not vaccinated during pregnancy, whose birthing parent’s vaccination status is unknown, or who were born less than 14 days after maternal vaccination.
• Some children ages 8 to 19 months who are at increased risk of severe RSV and entering their second RSV season.

What RSV immunizations are available?

Eligible adults can receive an RSV vaccine. Unlike COVID-19 and flu vaccines, RSV vaccines aren’t recommended every year. People who have already received an RSV vaccine generally don’t need another dose.

Infants get an antibody medication — not a vaccine — that helps protect against severe RSV. Most infants don’t need both maternal vaccination and an antibody product.

When’s the best time to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu this season?

Both Malani and Chin-Hong agree that earlier in the fall is an ideal time to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu. It’s also safe (and convenient) to get both vaccines at the same appointment.

Chin-Hong says the timing is particularly important for the flu vaccine this year because flu activity is increasing earlier than usual.

“It’s important to get vaccinated before respiratory virus infections start to increase,” Malani said. “Especially since it takes a few weeks to provide a protective immune response.”

Are COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines free this year?

Yes. Most major health insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare and CHIP, are expected to cover COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines at no cost to eligible patients. However, coverage can vary depending on your insurance plan, age and where you get vaccinated.

If you have private insurance, check that your health care provider or pharmacy is in network to avoid unexpected costs.

If you’re uninsured, you may be able to get vaccinated for free or at a reduced cost through your local health department or a community health center. Children who qualify can also receive free vaccines through the federal Vaccines for Children program.

This article first appeared on Public Good News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. 

What you need to know about COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Leer en español

Several U.S. states are experiencing an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a stomach infection that causes frequent, watery, “explosive” diarrhea. More than 5,000 cases have been reported as of July 16 across the country, according to several state health departments, with most cases in Michigan and New York. 

At least 61 cases had been reported in Wisconsin, most of them linked to international travel.

The infection doesn’t transmit from person to person: It’s spread through eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with feces. While public health officials are still investigating the exact source of the current outbreak, previous outbreaks have been caused by contaminated lettuce, raspberries, cilantro, and basil. 

Cyclosporiasis usually spreads more easily in the summer because of the heat, given that “the parasite in the stool, in the environment, and in vegetables within high temperatures can become infectious,” Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist and associate dean at the University of California, San Francisco, tells Public Good News.

Read on to learn more about the current cyclosporiasis outbreak.

What are the symptoms?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common symptoms of cyclosporiasis include: 

• Frequent, watery diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Cramping
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating
• Increased gas

Less common symptoms include vomiting, headaches, and low-grade fever. 

What should I do if I have symptoms? 

If you have symptoms, stay hydrated, and contact your health care provider. The only way to diagnose cyclosporiasis is to get your stool tested. If your sample is positive, Dr. Chin-Hong explains that your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to treat it.

What is causing this outbreak? 

Michigan has reported over 4,000 cases as of July 16. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the state, tells PGN that “based on our early signals, that there is some implication that lettuce, bagged lettuce or bagged salad kits could be involved in this outbreak.”

However, other foods have not been completely ruled out, and the exact source of the outbreak in other states is unclear.

How can I protect myself from cyclosporiasis? 

Chin-Hong explains that you don’t have to avoid eating all fruits and vegetables, especially if you live in a state where cases are low. 

However, if you live in a state where cases are high, including Michigan, New York, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Texas, there are some precautions you can take. 

In Michigan, Bagdasarian says, “if you are going to eat a salad or lettuce right now, the safest way to do that is to buy a whole head of lettuce to remove the outer layers and remove any damaged parts, and then of course washing.” Bagged lettuce is harder to wash again at home, while whole heads let you remove the outer leaves where contamination is more likely.

Additionally, she says that “if it’s something that can be peeled, you should peel it, [and] if it’s something that can be cooked, cooking is actually the best way to reduce your risk.”

Overall, the CDC says that to prevent cyclosporiasis, you should take the following precautions when it comes to fresh produce: 

• Wash your hands with soap and water before touching raw fruits and vegetables.
• Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking (However, keep in mind that washing fruits and vegetables can reduce dirt and some contaminants, but it may not completely remove cyclospora.) 
• Cut damaged areas of fruits and vegetables.
• Refrigerate cooked, cut, or peeled fruits and vegetables within two hours.

What are the differences between cyclosporiasis and other types of food poisoning (caused by bacteria like E. coli or salmonella)? 

The main difference, according to Chin-Hong, is that cyclosporiasis can last longer and a person can get better and then get symptoms again. However, similarly to other types of food poisoning, the frequent diarrhea can cause dehydration, which, he adds, can lead to people being hospitalized.

Another difference is that unlike other similar illnesses, cyclosporiasis symptoms don’t begin right away. Most people become sick about one week after eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water, though it can take anywhere from two days to about two weeks.

Who’s most at risk? 

Bagdasarian says that people who face a higher risk with cyclosporiasis include those who are immunocompromised and people who are at higher risk for dehydration, including very young children and older adults. 

She adds that “if you have people in your family, in your household who fall into any of those categories, it would be wise to be extra cautious about the food you’re eating, including when you go out to eat at a restaurant or a fast food chain.”

For more information, talk to your health care provider or local health department.

This story was produced and originally published by Public Good News, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to community health. It partners with trusted local voices throughout the U.S. to distribute accurate, accessible, and inclusive health news in English and Spanish.

Disclosure: The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is a partner of The Public Good Projects, the organization that owns Public Good News.

What to know about cyclosporiasis is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.