COVID-19, Flu & RSV Vaccines Now Available at Your Samaritan Pharmacy October 10, 2024 It’s that time of year when respiratory viruses seem to be everywhere. Respiratory viruses are viruses that affect your breathing, with symptoms like a stuffy nose, sore throat and cough. They often also cause fever and other uncomfortable or distressing symptoms. Samaritan Pharmacy is here to help protect you from the three major respiratory viruses expected to circulate in our community this fall and winter – COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, which is known as RSV. Vaccinations for all three of these viruses are available at our six Samaritan Pharmacy locations in Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon and Sweet Home. No appointment is necessary. Just come in to a Samaritan Pharmacy during the vaccination hours listed below and get your flu, COVID-19 and RSV shots. You may also contact your primary care provider to schedule vaccinations. Medical experts recommend getting these vaccines as soon as they’re available to ensure maximum protection throughout the respiratory virus season. How Do Vaccines Work? Vaccines help prepare your body to defend itself from viruses and severe illness. Some vaccines teach your immune system what the virus looks like so it can prepare to protect against it. Others directly provide you with antibodies to protect you from the virus. Getting vaccinated can reduce your chances of getting infected, but the main role of these vaccines is preventing severe illness and death. More and more evidence suggests that the COVID-19 vaccine can also lower your chances of developing long COVID. The flu also remains a significant health concern, affecting millions of Americans each year. While some view it as merely an inconvenience, influenza can lead to serious complications, hospitalization, and even death, particularly in vulnerable populations. Traditionally associated with infants and young children, RSV can also severely impact older adults and immunocompromised individuals. New vaccine options now provide protection for pregnant women and seniors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, RSV leads to approximately 58,000 to 80,000 hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years old and 60,000 to160,000 hospitalizations among adults 65 years and older each year. Despite pandemic fatigue, COVID-19 continues to evolve and circulate. The updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine targets current variants, providing enhanced protection. The CDC’s stance is clear: Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. It also reduces the risk of long COVID. When more people get vaccinated, the entire community benefits. This is known as community immunity and helps protect those who cannot receive vaccines due to age or medical conditions. By choosing to get vaccinated, you’re not just protecting yourself – you’re contributing to the health and safety of your entire community. Remember, staying healthy is a collective effort. By getting vaccinated against flu, RSV and COVID-19, you’re taking a crucial step in protecting yourself, your loved ones and your community. Make the choice to stay protected this season. Vaccination Is Beneficial for All Age Groups With vaccination, children and teens miss less school and social activities. Vaccinating young people also prevents the spread of viruses to vulnerable family members. Vaccination allows adults to stay productive at work and home, protects those with underlying conditions and reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. Protection from respiratory viruses is even more important for older members of our community, who are more vulnerable to complications, hospitalization and death from respiratory viruses. Vaccination can help them maintain independence and quality of life. Addressing Common Concerns Some people hesitate to get vaccinated due to misconceptions or concerns. Here are some key points to consider: Safety: All approved vaccines undergo rigorous testing and continuous monitoring. Effectiveness: While not 100% preventive, vaccines significantly reduce severity and complications. Convenience: Samaritan Pharmacies offer all three vaccines, and many people may get multiple vaccines at the same time. Cost: Most insurance plans cover these vaccines. Which Vaccines Should You Get? With three different vaccinations available, we know it can be confusing. The CDC recommendations below will help you decide which vaccinations you need and your doctor or pharmacist can give advice on whether to get more than one vaccination on the same day or space them out. Most people ages 6 months and older should receive a current flu and COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone ages 75 and older should get an RSV vaccine. CDC also recommends adults ages 60 to 74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease get an RSV vaccine. To prevent severe RSV disease in infants, CDC recommends either the pregnant mother gets an RSV vaccine, or the infant gets an immunization with an RSV monoclonal antibody. Most infants will not need both. When making a vaccination plan, consider getting more than one vaccine at once. Flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines can be given at the same visit. For people who prefer to get their recommended vaccines at different visits, you don’t need to wait a specific amount of time after the previous vaccine to get your next one. You might be due for other vaccines, like those to prevent pneumococcal disease, shingles, or whooping cough. Ask your health care provider which vaccines are recommended for you.
