Three regional health departments are urging Evendale, Woodlawn, Sharonville and Springdale residents to get vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19 and RSV before the holiday season.
Hamilton County Public Health, the Cincinnati Health Department and the Northern Kentucky Health Department issued a joint advisory on Tuesday, Sept. 15, warning that the Greater Cincinnati region has seen spikes in respiratory illness hospitalizations in recent years that pushed hospitals to capacity. Officials said they are preparing for another severe respiratory season this fall and winter.
Dr. Stephen Feagins, medical director at Hamilton County Public Health, said the timing matters because it takes about two weeks after vaccination to build full immunity.
"We always encourage getting your flu, RSV and COVID-19 vaccinations in the fall so that you have time to build full immunity before the holidays, but really, anytime is the right time," Feagins said. He added that the vaccines offer proven protection so families can safely enjoy time together.
Dr. Grant Mussman, health commissioner at the Cincinnati Health Department, said staying current on vaccinations meaningfully reduces the chance of severe illness and hospitalization. He urged families to check which vaccines are recommended for each member and to get them early enough for the immune system to respond.
Dr. Jennifer Mooney, director of health at the Northern Kentucky Health Department, said thousands of people die from the flu each year and called vaccination "the single best defense we have." She encouraged residents to talk with their doctors.
Who is most at risk?
The advisory identifies several higher-risk groups: pregnant people, infants and children aged 5 and under, adults 65 and older, and people with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, chronic heart or kidney or lung disease, or weakened immune systems. For children under one year old, RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia, according to the advisory.
All three vaccines can safely be given during the same visit, according to the advisory.
Other precautions
Beyond vaccination, the health departments recommend staying home when sick, washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces regularly, and circulating fresh air by opening windows or using an air purifier. Officials also urged extra precautions around high-risk individuals.
Hamilton County Public Health published a fact sheet on respiratory viruses on Sept. 11 on its website. Residents can call (513) 946-7800 or visit Hamilton County Public Health for more information.
