With Respiratory Virus Season Approaching, Now is the Time to Get Vaccinated!

The Cambridge Public Health Department joins state officials in urging residents to get vaccinated before peak respiratory virus season.   

COVID-19, flu, and RSV are respiratory viruses that can cause severe disease resulting in hospitalization and sometimes death. Everyone 6 months and older should get a seasonal flu vaccine and an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against infection, serious illness, and hospitalization. COVID-19 vaccination can also reduce the risk of Long COVID. The COVID-19 and flu vaccines have been updated for the 2024-25 season and are effective against currently circulating viruses. All routine vaccines are covered by insurance and are widely available at no or low cost to Massachusetts residents.

Many people, including pregnant people and older adults, are also encouraged to get the RSV vaccination. Individuals recommended for an RSV immunization should talk to their health care provider about receiving it.

“After you get vaccinated, it can take a few weeks to reach maximum protection, so it is important to get vaccinated before respiratory illnesses start to increase,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown in a Massachusetts Department of Public Health press release. Dr. Brown emphasized that now is the perfect time to get vaccinated in order to be prepared for the viral respiratory illness season.

There are several options for getting COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines. Vaccines are available at many local pharmacies and primary care offices. In Cambridge, appointments are available at local CVS pharmacies, Walgreens pharmacies, Osco Pharmacies (located at Star Markets), and Inman Pharmacy. 

The state health department is offering mobile clinics for COVID-19 and Flu in several communities. You can find a list of mobile clinic locations on the MDPH website; this list is updated weekly. If you cannot get to a vaccination location, you can schedule an in-home vaccination.

More information about COVID-19 and flu vaccines and resources to find vaccination locations are available at mass.gov/SeasonalVaccines. For RSV information, visit the CDC website.