FARGO — Getting vaccinated ahead of the holidays doesn't just protect you, it also protects your loved ones. Larger family gatherings are a staple of the holiday season. But respiratory viruses such as the flu, RSV and COVID-19 often surge this time of the year, especially among various groups of people.
Being up to date on your vaccinations can help protect you from severe side effects if you get sick, and also keep family members who might have compromised immune systems safe. "Even if you get an infection, despite vaccination, it reduces your risk of complications, so you won't end up in the hospital or need oxygen at home," Dr. Avish Nagpal, a disease physician at Sanford Health, said.
RSV is an annual vaccine, while flu COVID-19 are seasonal vaccines. "Vaccination does double duty here. It prevents you from getting infection, and if you are not getting the infection, you are not spreading it forward," Nagpal said.
He also recommends common sense safety practices, such as washing your hands. It's a little thing, but Nagpal says it goes a long way in preventing the spread of viruses..
