NEW ORLEANS — Thanksgiving is 15 days away and health experts say to protect you and your family from winter illnesses you need to get vaccinated now.
According to Health experts it takes two weeks for immunity to develop after a vaccine was administered. So to keep yourself safe from the flu, COVID-19 and RSV, experts say you need to be getting vaccinated now.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, CDC Director, said, "We know we're gonna see more flu starting to circulate and more COVID. So right now is a great time for you to get vaccinated that way, your body can build up its protection ahead of the holiday season."
Dr. Fred Lopez, Infectious Disease Specialist with LSU says this is the first holiday season where adults are able to get the RSV vaccine, after being approved back in May of this year.
Dr. Lopez said, "We are currently in RSV season, so we are seeing cases of RSV and they have been increasing in recent weeks."
Dr. Lopez also says flu cases are also slowly increasing, to protect yourself and others, you need to book your vaccine appointments now and the good news, you only need one appointment.
"There is a lot of experience receiving COVID19 and flu vaccines at the same time, not as much as experience with this new RSV vaccine but yes the CDC says yes you could receive all three at the same time," said Dr. Lopez.
How severely these viruses go around, will likely depend on how many people get vaccinated. Dr. Cohen said, "I know folks want to leave COVID in the rear-view mirror, but unfortunately it is still here, and is still causing folks to get very sick and and, and, even die."
We all remember the mitigation measures from COVID, wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and if you feel sick, stay home.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.