What You Need to Know About The “Tripledemic”
Happy New Year!
Last week we shared some thoughts about starting off the New Year on the right foot by prioritizing your health and the health of those close to you by making sure everyone is up-to-date on doctor’s visits. This week we wanted to continue along that same line by reminding you about the challenges we all are facing this winter as multiple respiratory viruses are circulating.
You may have heard the term “Tripledemic” used in reference to this situation. This refers to three contagious illnesses – RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), the flu (Influenza), and COVID, which are all spreading widely throughout the population right now. All three of these illnesses can be serious for vulnerable people and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging people to do their part to help keep these viruses from spreading. This includes staying home when you feel sick, washing hands regularly, wearing masks around people who are at risk for serious illness or complications such as babies and older people.
Most importantly – there are vaccines available for two of these three illnesses! The new bivalent omicron booster is available to help boost immunity against COVID, and this year’s flu vaccine works well against the most common strains of the flu that are spreading. If you haven’t gotten up-to-date on these vaccines, there is still time. Reach out to your healthcare provider or click on the links at the bottom of this email to find out about getting up-to-date!
Information About RSV
RSV can be very serious for infants under one year old. According to the National Coalition for Infant Health, “Infants younger than one are 16 times more likely to be hospitalized for RSV than for the flu, and RSV accounts for 500,000 emergency room visits in young children each year.” For that reason, we wanted to share this video What is RSV? and the graphic below from the National Coalition for Infant Health which discusses the signs of RSV. If you’re concerned that your baby may have RSV, it’s important to contact your child’s healthcare provider or your local hospital right away.
We hope you find these tips and resources helpful as we move into 2023. Together we can help each other stay healthy in The New Year!
For more information visit cdc.gov/coronavirus cdc.gov/flu and cdc.gov/rsv
Wondering where to get vaccinated?
Visit our website for up-to-date information on local vaccine clinics: Upcoming Everett and Malden Vaccine Clinics
Visit Vaxfinder.mass.gov or Vaccines.gov to find a location near you!
Text your zip code to 438829Call 1-800-232-0233
