St. Luke’s introduces new immunizations against flu, COVID-19 and RSV – Idaho News

St. Luke's introduces new immunizations against flu, COVID-19 and RSV

by CBS2 News Staff

St. Luke's (CBS2 file)

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2)

According to a recent news release from St. Luke's, during the fall and winter seasons, the spread of respiratory viruses increases, including flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

Last year, COVID-19, the flu and RSV activity peaked in November, December and January in Idaho, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. St. Luke's and Idaho health authorities urge everyone who can to get the appropriate immunizations to safeguard their health and the health of the community.

The release says RSV causes acute respiratory tract infections in people of all ages and can cause severe illness and even death in infants and children with certain health conditions. Approximately 58,000-80,000 children under the age of 5 and up to 3% of children in their first year of life are hospitalized due to RSV infection each year in the United States.

Here are St. Luke's immunization options for the flu, COVID-19 and RSV.

This year, the CDC recommended new immunizations to protect against severe RSV. St. Luke's will begin administering the RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, on Nov. 1, 2023.

RSV vaccine Abrysvo for adults over 60:

RSV vaccine Abrysvo for unborn babies:

Beyfortus RSV antibody immunization for babies:

Find up-to-date information at http://www.cdc.gov/rsv.

An updated COVID-19 vaccine is formulated for better protection against newer circulating COVID-19 strains. St. Luke's began administering the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, Oct. 24, to adults ages 19 years and older. Schedule in MyChart.

You can get a flu shot at local retail pharmacies, your primary care provider, St. Luke's or other local health care providers. To get your flu shot at a St. Luke's Clinic, schedule an appointment through MyChart. If you are not registered for MyChart, sign up today. You can also make an appointment by calling your primary care provider.

Many respiratory viruses can be contagious even before symptoms start, so practicing good hygiene at all times can help prevent disease spread. You can protect yourself and others by:

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St. Luke's introduces new immunizations against flu, COVID-19 and RSV - Idaho News