COVID-19
Got your COVID-19 vaccine last year? It’s time to get the new vaccine so you’ll have the best protection from the strains currently circulating.
A 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older. This includes anyone who has received COVID-19 vaccines before or who have had COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) especially recommends the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for individuals who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine, are ages 65+, are at high risk for severe COVID-19, are living in a long-term care facility, are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, or might become pregnant in the future.
Visit the CDC’s COVID-19 webpage for a comprehensive list of COVID-19 recommendations.
Most health insurance plans cover COVID-19 vaccines at no cost, and programs are available to help those who are uninsured and underinsured. Reach out to your medical provider or local health department for more information.
Most Ohioans can obtain these vaccines for free. Most health insurance plans cover COVID-19 vaccines at no cost, and uninsured or underinsured individuals have access to free vaccines through the CDC’s Bridge Access Program. Similarly, the Vaccines for Children program offers local providers free vaccines for qualifying children.
RSV
Got your RSV vaccine last year? You’re in the clear. You don’t need this vaccine annually and it’s recommended only for people at high risk for severe RSV: newborns, some young children, and older adults.
For older adults, a single-dose RSV vaccine is recommended for adults aged 60-74 with conditions that increase risk for severe RSV and all adults aged 75 and older.
There are two options to protect young children from RSV. The maternal RSV shot, given to mothers between weeks 32 and 36 of pregnancy, or the RSV antibody given to babies and some young children. Check with your healthcare provider to see which option works best for your family.
For information on whether you or your children should get vaccinated, and where to obtain vaccines locally, reach out to your healthcare provider, local pharmacy, or local health department.
Influenza
For protection against influenza, also known as “the flu,” we recommend everyone aged 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine annually.
Americans have been safeguarding themselves against influenza since 1945, when the flu vaccine was first licensed for public use. Today, this vaccine is available to everyone.Call 740-454-9741 to make an appointment for flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines may be administered during the same visit to save time and provide the quickest defense against this respiratory triple threat.
Talk with your healthcare provider about which options are best for you. Remember, gatherings with family and friends are coming soon. After you get vaccinated, it takes the body 10-14 days to build up the best protection. For more information on vaccines, visit vaccines.gov. Get vaccinated now so you and your family will be prepared to have healthy gatherings this respiratory virus season.
