Vaccine Q&A: COVID-19, Flu, and RSV
Protect yourself against these respiratory illnesses
Protect yourself against these respiratory illnesses
It’s important to keep your seasonal vaccinations up to date. This includes COVID and the flu — as well as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), for those at risk. These latest vaccines are designed to combat current and expected strains.
There are many benefits to getting vaccinated, including the prevention of serious illness, hospitalization and death, says Anthony Chong, MD, a family medicine physician and chief medical officer at Scripps Coastal Medical Center.
“Getting vaccinated is a more secure path to immunity than falling ill from infections,” Dr. Chong notes. “Even for those who’ve already been sick or hospitalized due to infections, vaccines provide an extra layer of defense. The best way to stay protected is to keep your vaccinations current.”
Here’s what you need to know about the COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines, according to Dr. Chong.
What is the latest with these vaccines?
COVID-19: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises the revised vaccine — designed for newer virus variants — for everyone aged 6 months and up. Prior vaccinations don’t affect eligibility.
Flu: The optimal time to receive the flu vaccine is in the fall before flu viruses begin spreading in your community. And, for those wondering, it’s perfectly OK to take both the flu, RSV and COVID vaccines concurrently.
RSV: New RSV vaccines were introduced in 2023. These vaccines target older adults and pregnant women to help protect against RSV.
COVID-19 vaccine
Q: What’s new with the COVID-19 vaccine?
A: Updated COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. This includes people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine before and people who have had COVID-19. The vaccine is available at most places you would normally go to get your vaccines. Updated COVID-19 vaccine doses are available by appointment and by walk-in at select Scripps HealthExpress locations throughout San Diego County.
According to the CDC, the benefits of this vaccine outweigh potential risks, and for people with health insurance, most plans will cover COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to you. Uninsured or underinsured adults can visit vaccines.gov to find COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to them.
Q: What should I know about the variants and the updated vaccine's efficacy?
A: Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available from Moderna, Novavax and Pfizer. All the updated vaccines available this season can recognize circulating COVID variants and therefore should be similarly effective in reducing your chance of becoming severely ill from COVID infection or needing to be hospitalized.
Q: Are the previous bivalent vaccines still valid?
A: No, they are no longer approved for use.
Q: What does the CDC recommend in terms of the COVID-19 vaccine dosage?
A: People should receive the age-appropriate vaccine product and dosage based on their age on the day of vaccination and their previous vaccine history. Those 65 and older or with a compromised immune system might need additional doses. Children between 6 months to 5 years might require multiple doses depending on their age and previous vaccinations.
Q: What if I haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccine before or completed my prior vaccine series?
A: Prior vaccinations don’t affect your ability to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Q: How can I get the updated COVID-19 vaccine in San Diego County?
A: Updated COVID-19 vaccine doses are available by appointment and by walk-in at select Scripps HealthExpress locations throughout San Diego County. Appointments are also available at other non-Scripps locations throughout San Diego County.
Individuals without access to a computer or someone to assist them can call the California Department of Public Health COVID-19 hotline at 833-422-4255. Operators are available who speak English and Spanish and can access a third-party translator for more than 250 additional languages.
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
Q: What’s the advice on flu vaccines?
A: It’s essential to get the flu vaccine every year, especially during the fall season. Those 6 months and older should get their yearly shot. Individuals with egg allergies no longer need special post-vaccination monitoring.
Scripps offers three ways to get a flu vaccine.
1. Scripps offers “flu vaccine clinics” to help meet the high demand for flu shots in San Diego. Appointments are required. You can schedule your flu vaccine conveniently through MyScripps or by calling your primary care physician’s office.
2. Flu vaccines are also offered during your regularly scheduled appointment at your primary care physician’s office.
3. Flu vaccines are available on a walk-in basis at one of our Scripps HealthExpress locations throughout San Diego County.
We do not recommend delaying your flu vaccine while waiting for the other vaccines to be available.
Q: Do I need to wait after getting the flu vaccine or any other vaccine prior to getting the COVID vaccine?
A: There is no recommended waiting period between getting a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including a flu vaccine and an RSV vaccine at the same time.
Experience with other vaccines has shown that the way our bodies develop protection, known as an immune response, and possible side effects after getting vaccinated are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine
Q: How can I protect myself and my family against RSV this year?
A: Vaccines are recommended to protect adults aged 60 and older from severe RSV. The CDC advises RSV vaccination for all adults 75 and older, as well as for adults aged 60–74 who are at higher risk of severe RSV. Consult your primary care physician before getting vaccinated to see if an RSV vaccine is appropriate for you.
CDC recommends all babies be protected from severe RSV by one of two immunization options: A maternal RSV vaccine given to the mother during pregnancy, or an RSV antibody given to your baby. Most babies do not need both. Please consult with your Scripps pediatrician if you have any questions.