Fall Vaccinations: Helping Ensure a Healthy Season

Fall Vaccinations: Helping Ensure a Healthy Season

Fall Vaccinations: Helping Ensure a Healthy Season

By | October 9, 2023 | affordable health care Auburn, affordable health care Grass Valley, Auburn health clinic, Auburn Medi-Cal, Auburn Medicare, COVID-19, Grass Valley health clinic, Medi-Cal clinic Auburn, Medi-Cal clinic Grass Valley, Medicare clinic Grass Valley, Vaccination Info | , |

Fall Vaccinations: Helping Ensure a Healthy Season

The smell of Autumn is in the air and that means it is time for annual vaccinations against the viruses that can take the joy out of the season. Yet with so many shots out there, it can be hard to know which ones you need. Knowing which to give your kids can be even harder. What vaccines are out there, and which ones should you get?

Seasonal Influenza (Flu)

In the United States, the Seasonal Influenza (Flu) caused more than 9 million cases of illness in 2022 alone (CDC). The Flu is a common virus that can cause symptoms such as:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Body aches
  • Congestion
  • Sore throat
  • Headaches

Symptoms can last up to a week and leave you feeling miserable. You are most contagious in the middle of that week but can spread the virus before you even know you are sick. Babies and those with weakened immune systems can be sick and contagious for even longer. This is why it is important to get your annual Flu vaccine at the start of the viral season, so you don’t have to worry about catching and spreading it.

Who can get a flu vaccine?

One of the great things about the Flu Shot is how many people are eligible to get it. This includes:

  • Children ages 6 months and older
  • Adults
  • Seniors 65+
  • Expectant mothers
  • Even those who have egg allergies

A flu vaccine is quick to get and is offered at most doctor offices and pharmacies for little to no cost. Chapa-De patients can schedule a vaccine appointment online, call to schedule an appointment, or drop into one of our medical departments for same-day vaccination walk-in appointment. You can also check your local events calendar for free public vaccination events near you.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Every year, more than 2 million cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are reported (CDC). Elders and children under 5 years of age are at increased risk of being hospitalized for this illness. RSV is similar to the Flu with symptoms that include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Wheezing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Body aches
  • Congestion
  • Sore throat

Symptoms can last up to a week in healthy adults. For babies and seniors, it can last up to two weeks and become life-threatening quickly. If you or a loved one has RSV and start to have trouble breathing or wheezing, get medical attention immediately.

Who can get a RSV vaccine?

Older Adults Age 60+

RSV vaccines are currently approved for older adults aged 60 and over. It is a single shot and is recommended to be received annually.

The vaccine is available now at Chapa-De and can be received by scheduling a visit with your medical provider. The cost is currently covered under Medicare Part D and should become available for patients with other insurance types soon.

Pregnant Patients

This vaccine is also now available for pregnant patients between 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Expecting parents on Medi-Cal can be eligible for the RSV vaccination with a doctor’s prior authorization in a three-step system:

  1. Schedule an appointment with your medical provider to discuss if the RSV vaccine is right for you. If yes, your provider will request a prior authorization from your insurance plan.
  2. Once submitted by your provider, authorization from Medi-Cal may take 2-3 days. Once approved, you will be contacted to schedule a vaccine appointment.
  3. Attend your appointment and receive your vaccination.

Coming Soon for Babies

A new RSV antibody boosting medication is also expected soon for infants up to 8 months old and high-risk groups such as Native American children up to 19 months old. This antibody medication will help their young immune systems learn how to fight off the virus. Follow us on social media to stay updated on the expected release of these medications.

Talk to your medical provider to see if the vaccine is right for you. If you and your provider agree, and its available for your group, you can schedule an appointment to get vaccinated by calling your local clinic or talking to the front desk.

Follow us on social media to stay up to date on the latest news regarding this shot.

COVID-19

COVID-19 is a fast-acting virus that can be contagious before you even know you are sick. Symptoms are similar to the Flu and RSV and include:

    • Fever
    • Coughing
    • Congestions
    • Body aches
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Loss of taste or smell
    • Vomiting and/or diarrhea

Updated COVID-19 Vaccines

An updated vaccine has been approved that is formulated to fight more recent variants of COVID to protect you during this cold and flu season. This is different from previous versions that were made to help your immune system fight prior COVID variants. Just like the Flu Shot, the updated COVID shot provides strong protection against the dominant strain to help keep our communities healthy.  These vaccines are now available at both our Auburn and Grass Valley health clinic locations.

Who can get the vaccine?

Nearly everyone is eligible to get the updated COVID vaccine. This includes:

  • Children ages 6 months and older
  • Adults
  • Elders
  • Expectant mothers

We recommend getting the updated vaccine now for maximum protection during cold and flu season. However, if you have received another COVID-19 vaccine recently, please wait until at least two months have passed since your last vaccine.

Chapa-De patients can schedule a vaccine appointment online, call to schedule an appointment, or drop into one of our medical departments for same-day vaccination walk-in appointment.

Chapa-De Indian Health Vaccination Drop-In Hours

Available for Flu & Updated COVID-19 Vaccinations

  • Monday – Friday
    • 8:30am -11:30am
    • 1:30pm-4:30pm

Have a healthy holiday season

Don’t let a virus slow you down. Getting vaccinated in the Fall helps protect you and your family through the holidays so you can spend that special time with loved ones. Talk to your provider during your next visit or schedule an appointment to ask any questions you may have. If you are ready for the Flu and COVID shot, give us a call, schedule online, or stop by for a walk-in appointment. Elders and pregnant parents, talk to your provider today about the RSV vaccine. For babies, follow us on social media to stay updated on the latest RSV news. Let’s stay healthy this winter and enjoy everything to come.

View our Fall Virus guides:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapa-De Indian Health Auburn Grass Valley | Medical Clinic

PASSIONATE PEOPLE. COMPASSIONATE CARE.

Chapa-De provides medical care, dental care, optometry, behavioral health, pharmacy services and much more.

Serving all American Indian, Low Income and Limited Income Community Members

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