(Family Features) The holidays are coming up, and many people will be celebrating with family and friends. The start of colder months also means flu, COVID-19 and RSV can surge. That can be dangerous for older adults.

“Holidays are a time to gather with family and friends,” said Charlene Wong, MD, MSHP, senior advisor for health strategy at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “but for older people, this can come with risk of serious respiratory illness. Get your updated flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines to reduce your risk and do more together.”

Before heading to holiday gatherings, check out these tips from the Risk Less. Do More. vaccine education campaign. They can help you and your older loved ones enjoy a happy holiday season while lowering the risk of serious illness from flu, COVID-19 and RSV.  

Get Vaccinated Against Respiratory Illnesses
Older adults are at higher risk of getting seriously ill, ending up in the hospital or dying from flu, COVID-19 or RSV. Vaccines are the best protection against severe disease from these common respiratory illnesses. The CDC recommends that all adults ages 65 and older get the updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. An RSV vaccine is also available to help protect older people from severe RSV. It is recommended for all people 75 and older, and for those ages 60-74 with certain health conditions, like heart or lung disease or diabetes, or who live in a nursing home. If you are a caregiver or help an older adult with their medical decisions, encourage them to talk to their doctor about the vaccines that are right for them.

Gather Safely
Respiratory illnesses often thrive in indoor spaces where people are in close contact. If the weather permits, try hosting holiday gatherings outside. When gatherings are inside, think about keeping windows open or using fans for ventilation. If you are going to a large indoor gathering, consider wearing a mask. Washing your hands frequently, or using hand sanitizer, also helps reduce the spread of germs. Encourage your older loved ones to take these precautions as well.

Stay Home If You’re Sick
No one wants to miss out on festivities, but it’s important to stay home if you are not feeling well. Encourage your family and friends to do the same. Remind them about the impact flu, COVID-19 and RSV can have, especially on older adults. If you’re a caregiver of an older adult, monitor any respiratory symptoms that may develop. Testing for flu and COVID-19 can also help inform your plans. All U.S. households can now receive four free COVID tests. Order them for your family and your loved ones at COVIDTests.gov.

For many older people, the fall and winter holidays are an important time to connect with others. Be sure to include vaccinations in your holiday planning. Go to vaccines.gov to get started today.

You can also learn more about flu, COVID-19 and RSV at cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore or by talking to your doctor about which vaccines are right for you this season.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
United States Department of Health and Human Services

(Family Features) Four and a half years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are once again enjoying time with friends and family and doing their favorite things. However, the virus that causes COVID-19 keeps changing, so it’s still important to stay up to date on your vaccinations. Respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, are common during the fall and winter months. That’s why now is a good time to take care of yourself and your loved ones by getting the facts on the updated COVID-19 vaccines.   

“As the virus changes, we are learning more and more about how to protect people from COVID-19,” said Namandjé N. Bumpus, Ph.D., principal deputy commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine means your protection is as up to date as possible.”

Here is information about this season’s COVID-19 vaccines from the Risk Less. Do More. public education campaign:

Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 lowers your chances of getting very sick or being hospitalized. Some people who get the vaccines still get sick, but vaccination can make symptoms milder. This is important if you are over age 65 or have certain health conditions. Both can put you at a higher risk for serious or long-lasting health problems, such as Long COVID or even death from COVID-19. If you do get COVID-19, ask your doctor about treatment options to reduce your risk of severe illness.  

COVID-19 vaccines are regularly updated to keep up with the changing virus. The COVID-19 vaccines are updated based on the latest variants of the virus. The updated vaccines offer the best protection against the changing virus that causes COVID-19. Getting the latest vaccine boosts your immunity and lowers your risk of severe sickness.

Side effects for COVID-19 vaccines are usually mild and go away on their own in a few days. The most common side effects are soreness or redness at the injection site, headache or body aches, or fever. Severe side effects like anaphylaxis are rare, with about five adverse events per 1 million doses given.

Staying informed and getting this season’s COVID-19 vaccine – and encouraging loved ones to do the same – is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself and others this fall and winter. Knowing the facts about COVID-19 vaccinations can give you peace of mind and support a safer, healthier future for all. For more information, visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore or talk to your doctor. 

If you think you have COVID-19, testing can help. All U.S. households are now eligible to receive four free COVID-19 test kits. Order them today at COVIDTests.gov.

The Impact of COVID-19 In Black and Hispanic Communities
For the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, people in Black and Hispanic communities were consistently more likely to get COVID-19, need medical or hospital care, and die from COVID-19 than people in other communities. That gap has narrowed over time, but this past summer, Black people were still more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to the average across all races and ethnicities combined. Hispanic people had lower than average rates of hospitalization. For everyone, getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine offers the best protection against severe disease and hospitalization.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
United States Department of Health and Human Services

(Family Features) While there’s plenty to appreciate about winter travel, including picturesque scenery and festive moments with loved ones, the season brings a unique set of challenges, too. However, you can take steps to manage potential stress as you prepare for a seasonal journey.

For example, as flight delays and cancellations seem to become more common, travel insurance is one way vacationers can ease the burden of common travel issues that arise during crazy winter weather.

Consider these tips to reduce the stress of winter vacationing from the experts at World Nomads, which has protected, connected and inspired global travelers for more than 20 years. Designed to meet the needs of modern travelers, their flexible protection plans provide coverage to more than 100 countries with benefits including trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses, baggage cover and more to help you travel bravely.

Set realistic expectations. Some destinations are better when the weather gets blustery, but winter conditions can affect your ability to enjoy certain attractions in other locations. Planning ahead for weather-appropriate activities ensures you can make the most of your visit, whether it’s a prime winter destination or not.

Anticipate delays and cancellations. Unpredictable weather can hinder winter travel, so it’s a good idea to build extra time into your itinerary so you can roll with any potential delays. Especially if you’re traveling with children, have entertainment and backup plans ready so you can avoid adding tired, cranky kids to the mix.

Invest in travel insurance. To prepare for the unexpected, reduce your financial risk of unforeseen events with travel insurance. A leading travel insurance provider, World Nomads offers flexible travel protection plans for U.S. residents, including an Annual Planthat allows travelers to cover multiple trips (up to 45 days in length) over a 12-month period. Designed for frequent travelers, it includes travel insurance benefits for emergency medical expenses, baggage and baggage delay, rental car damage, trip cancellation, trip delay and more for international and domestic trips that are over 100 miles from your home.

What’s more, all plans also cover some of your favorite winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, bobsledding and beyond for added peace of mind (exclusions may apply). If something unexpected happens, your plan may provide reimbursement for emergency medical expenses, trip interruption coverage and medical evacuation coverage in certain circumstances.

Pack with care. If you’re headed to a sunny spot, sunscreen is (hopefully) a given, but remember sunscreen is essential for cold destinations, too. Reflections off the snow can create sunburn as bad as those from a day on the water. Also be mindful that the air tends to be drier in many locations during the winter months; keeping your skin and body well moisturized can help protect and nourish you.

Maximize luggage space. When traveling to colder climates, the bulkier clothing you need to stay warm and comfortable naturally takes more space than a summer wardrobe. Fitting everything you need into your luggage may be a challenge, but you can boost your chances by getting extra organized. Compression bags and packing cubes can help save space, and rolling garments, rather than folding, is recommended.

Prioritize function over fashion. When luggage space is at a premium, choose every item with purpose. That might mean forgoing an extra pair of shoes and selecting tops that mix and match with other articles of clothing for a more versatile wardrobe. Also be conscious of packing outfits that layer easily so you can add or drop layers to stay comfortable.

Find more resources for a successful winter getaway at WorldNomads.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
World Nomads