Protecting Yourself and Your Family From Flu, COVID-19, and RSV During Respiratory Illness Season

People are more likely to get respiratory illnesses in the winter than at any other time of the year. These respiratory illnesses include influenza, or the flu; COVID-19; respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV; and the common cold. It is very important to protect yourself from getting sick by doing the following:

Vaccines

At Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, we recommend getting vaccines that help prevent the flu and COVID-19. This is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting sick. Some children with certain medical conditions may also be able to get a shot that protects them from severe RSV.

• Flu: You can schedule your flu vaccine at our Stanford Medicine Children’s Health locations.
• COVID-19: Please contact your Stanford Medicine Children’s Health care team to schedule your COVID-19 vaccine.
• RSV: Babies and young children with certain medical conditions may be able to get a shot to help prevent severe RSV. Your care team will tell you if your child is eligible for this.

More about respiratory illnesses

Influenza, or the flu

The best way to protect yourself against the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year. A flu vaccine lowers your chances of getting the flu and of having severe flu symptoms if you do get sick.

Children younger than 5 years old are more at risk of getting very sick from the flu. Because of this, it is very important that all children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old get a flu vaccine every year.

Children younger than 6 months old cannot get the flu vaccine. The best way to protect them is to have everyone in your household get the flu vaccine. This helps prevent anyone in your household from getting the flu and giving it to your baby.

If your child gets the flu, they may be able to get antiviral medicine to treat it. Talk with your child’s care team for more information.

COVID-19

The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine, whether starting, completing, or updating your doses. Vaccines and boosters protect against infection and reduce severe symptoms.

All infants and toddlers aged 6 to 23 months should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine. For infants under 6 months who are too young for the vaccine, be sure that all household members are vaccinated to protect them.

For children with immunocompromising conditions, everyone aged 6 months and older should receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine. Additional doses might be needed depending on prior vaccination history.

Children and teens aged 2 to 18 years without immunocompromising conditions may be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes those with health conditions or living with others who are at high risk, those who are not vaccinated, or those in group living environments. They can also get an updated dose if their parent or guardian chooses. Please ask your child’s doctor if vaccination is appropriate.

If your child gets COVID-19, they may be able to get antiviral medicine to treat it. Talk with your child’s care team for more information.

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus

RSV can be dangerous for babies and young children, especially the following:

• Premature babies.
• Babies younger than 1 year old, especially those 6 months old and younger.
• Children younger than 2 years old with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease.
• Children with a weakened immune system.
• Children who have a neuromuscular disorder, including those who have difficulty swallowing or clearing mucus.

There are shots that can help protect babies and some young children from severe RSV. These medicines are nirsevimab, also called Beyfortus™, and clesrovimab, also called Enflonasia™. If you have questions about these or about RSV, talk with your child’s care team.