The Connecticut Department of Public Health is urging residents to prepare for respiratory virus season by getting a flu vaccine and talking with their healthcare providers about other vaccines.
Connecticut surveillance data shows flu activity rising sharply around December. Getting vaccinated in October allows the body about two weeks to build protection before those increases. Commissioner Manisha Juthani, M.D., said: “Every respiratory season, we see how much a little preparation helps families stay healthy, and that preparation starts with a conversation. Flu vaccine is our strongest protection against severe flu illness, and we recommend it for everyone six months and older. This year, many states are seeing marked rises in flu cases already, Connecticut is not far behind. For COVID-19, we recommend vaccination for children under two and for people at higher risk. For everyone else, we encourage you to talk with your healthcare provider about which vaccines are right for you.”
For RSV, the department recommends immunization to protect infants, through vaccination during pregnancy or monoclonal antibodies for babies, and vaccination for adults ages 60 to 74 at high risk and all adults 75 and older who have not received an RSV vaccine before. The department is providing flu vaccine for uninsured and underinsured adults through the Connecticut Vaccines for Adults program. A statewide list of flu clinics includes clinic dates and homebound services.
The department’s Protect Who Matters Most campaign features a four-part animated video series covering life before vaccines, vaccine questions and answers, vaccine safety and approval, and how vaccines work. Each video has a sing-along version, and the series is available in Spanish.
“Parents and caregivers are the experts on the people they love, and we want them to feel empowered to ask their doctor any question about vaccines,” said Juthani, “Asking questions is not a sign of doubt. It’s how families make good decisions. These videos are designed to support those conversations in clinic exam rooms and around kitchen tables.”
The campaign also provides free downloadable posters for healthcare practices, clinics and community organizations, along with the Connecticut Immunization Guide, extending the conversation beyond the exam room. The Connecticut Department of Public Health has made all resources available here.
