Office of the Governor | ICYMI: New Jersey Department of Health Encourages Flu Shot, COVID-19 Boosters Ahead of Holidays

Residents Ought to Take Precautions In opposition to Different Respiratory Viruses

TRENTON ­– With vacation gatherings kicking off this week with Thanksgiving, the New Jersey Division of Well being (NJDOH) is encouraging everybody 6 months of age and older to get their annual flu shot and COVID-19 booster when eligible, and is urging residents to take precautions as different respiratory sicknesses, together with Respiratory Syncytial Virus An infection (RSV), proceed to flow into.

New Jersey, in addition to a lot of the remainder of the nation, has seen an earlier begin to the flu season this 12 months. Respiratory Syncytial Virus in addition to rhinovirus and enterovirus and COVID-19 are additionally circulating within the state. NJDOH is monitoring and watching hospitalizations and pediatric intensive care models day by day all through the state.

“As New Jerseyans start to collect with family and friends for the upcoming holidays, it’s vital for everybody to proceed taking the required precautions to maintain themselves and their family members secure,” stated Governor Phil Murphy. “Getting vaccinated when really helpful, working towards good hand and respiratory hygiene, and staying dwelling when sick are methods residents can work collectively to have a happier and more healthy vacation season.”

“Getting an annual flu shot will assist defend everybody, significantly susceptible residents comparable to youthful youngsters and older adults, from influenza,” stated Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “The Division is monitoring these respiratory sicknesses intently, and their affect on hospitals and Emergency Departments.”

The federal Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) additionally recommends that everybody keep updated with COVID-19 vaccines for his or her age group. Everybody 6 months of age and older is eligible to obtain a COVID-19 major collection and folks 5 years of age and older are really helpful to obtain the up to date booster not less than 2 months after their major collection or final monovalent booster.

RSV, which often circulates within the state from late fall to early spring, causes frequent chilly signs in adults and older youngsters, whereas in youthful youngsters and infants, it might probably trigger wheezing and pneumonia. Nevertheless, it might probably additionally trigger extra extreme an infection. Most individuals recuperate in every week or two, however RSV might be critical, particularly for infants and older adults.

On the similar time, the state is seeing many youngsters with infections within the higher airways and lungs as a consequence of rhinovirus and enterovirus, which can lead to wheezing and respiration difficulties.

Dad and mom ought to name their pediatrician or a healthcare supplier if their little one has any of the next signs: speedy respiration, wheezing or shortness of breath; ribs pulling in with every breath; could be very ailing or drowsy; poor consuming; dehydration; vomiting for greater than 24 hours; fever in a toddler youthful than 12 weeks. Whereas these are warning indicators, please seek the advice of your healthcare supplier for another symptom that’s extreme or regarding.

People can take precautions by persevering with to clean their arms or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, cough into their elbows or sleeves, and get immunized for influenza and COVID-19. People at excessive threat for extreme sickness and their guests ought to contemplate carrying a high-quality, well-fitting masks which can assist scale back the unfold of respiratory viruses. People who’re sick ought to stay at dwelling.

Flu vaccination prevents thousands and thousands of sicknesses and flu-related physician’s visits every year. Regardless of these advantages, throughout the 2021-2022 flu seasons, solely 57% of adults (18 and older) and 67.7% of youngsters (6 months –17 years outdated) in New Jersey acquired a flu vaccine.

Flu vaccination is accessible at healthcare supplier places of work, pharmacies, federally certified well being facilities and native well being departments. Many vaccines are lined by insurers at little to no value to people. As well as, NJDOH’s Vaccine Preventable Illness Program (VPDP) helps to cut back financial limitations to childhood vaccines via the Vaccines for Youngsters program which gives vaccines without charge to eligible youngsters via healthcare suppliers enrolled in this system. The VPDP additionally participates within the 317-funded grownup program which gives vaccines to uninsured and underinsured adults. 

COVID-19 vaccination places might be discovered utilizing the NJ Vaccine Appointment Finder or by calling the statewide COVID-19 Vaccine Name Middle (855-568-0545). The COVID-19 vaccine is accessible free of charge, no matter insurance coverage standing.

“Vaccines have confirmed to be secure and efficient,” stated Commissioner Persichilli. “We urge all New Jerseyans to stand up to this point on all really helpful vaccinations to make sure a secure and wholesome vacation season. We particularly encourage all New Jerseyans, ages 5 and older, to get the brand new up to date booster to make sure the strongest safety towards COVID-19 variants.”