Spread Joy, Not Diseases This Holiday Season

The holiday season is here. It’s a good time to make sure you are up to date on all your vaccines. If you skip vaccines, you leave yourself and others vulnerable to many diseases. This is especially important during the holidays as you may be visiting and spending time with loved ones who are more susceptible to serious illness.  

Below is a helpful refresher and guide to stay on track when it comes to vaccines this winter. The Cambridge Public Health Department wishes you and your loved ones a happy, safe, and healthy holiday season! Remember other ways to protect yourself and others is to wash your hands frequently, stay home when sick, and wear a mask.

Seasonal Vaccines: Both COVID-19 and flu vaccines are recommended every year. All individuals aged 6 months and older are eligible to receive these vaccines in Massachusetts. These are available at local pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens, Osco, and Inman Pharmacy as well as many primary care offices. You can find a location near you by visiting vaccinefinder.org. 

Immunization Against RSV: Immunizations against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is recommended for certain groups:

• This vaccine is recommended for all adults ages 75 and older and adults ages 50 – 74 who are at increased risk for severe RSV. You do not get an RSV vaccine every year. If you have already gotten an RSV vaccine, you do not need to get another one.
  
• The maternal RSV vaccine is recommended for people who are between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant during September through January.
  
• If you did not receive the RSV vaccine or already did in a previous pregnancy, a long-acting infant RSV antibody can be given to your baby (or babies). This antibody provides immediate protection against RSV and lasts at least 5 months. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting the RSV vaccine or RSV immunization for your baby. 

Pneumococcal Vaccine: Pneumococcal vaccines are the best way to protect against serious pneumococcal infections. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and CDC recommends this vaccine for certain age groups:

• Children
  • All children younger than 5-years-old
  • Children 5 through 18-years-old with certain risk conditions
• Adults
  • All adults 50 years or older
  • 19 through 49-years-old with certain risk conditions

mPox Vaccine: There has been a recent increase in the number of individuals diagnosed with mpox in the Commonwealth. Two doses of the mPox vaccine is recommended for those who are at risk of mPox. View the eligibility for the Mpox vaccine on the state’s website. 

You can view the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s recommended guidance for vaccines to learn more about vaccines eligibility in general.