By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
As the cold season is upon us, health officials are highlighting the importance of flu vaccinations, especially for those at higher risk from serious complications from the flu, like the elderly, pregnant women, and young children.
According to Dr. Meagan Kay, medical epidemiologist with Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Communicable Disease and Epidemiology Division, flu activity usually peaks between December and February, and now is the time to for people to get annual flu, RSV, and COVID vaccines.
“[Some of the] respiratory illnesses we’re closely watching this winter include COVID-19, flu, pertussis (commonly called whooping cough), and RSV,” said Kay. “All four of these diseases cause relatively mild illness for young, healthy people but can be very serious or even deadly for specific at-risk groups, including infants, older adults, pregnant persons, and people with underlying health conditions.”
“The virus that causes the flu is more predictable than the virus that causes COVID,” Kay added. “Each winter, we see a rise in the number of flu cases – that’s why we call it ‘flu season.’ We’re starting to see an increase in cases, though still relatively low. I anticipate the flu virus will begin spreading more at some point between now and February.”
Many people are concerned about potential side effects from vaccines, which can include soreness, fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. However, experts stress that side effects are generally mild and temporary.
“Like any medicine, vaccines can have side effects,” said Kay. “Some shots produce more side effects than others, but for the most part, these are minor – for example, a sore arm or low-grade fever – and go away within a few days. The exact side effects to expect can depend on the specific vaccine.”
Kay says that vaccines for respiratory illnesses commonly result in minor side effects such as soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite.
Respiratory illnesses like whooping cough and RSV are of particular concern this season. Whooping cough cases in King County are at levels not seen in the last three years.
“We’ve been seeing an especially high number of whooping cough cases in King County this year – we’ve had more cases of whooping cough in 2024 than we did in all three prior years combined,” Kay said. “This is especially concerning because whooping cough can cause such serious symptoms for babies.”
King County is also seeing an increase in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases. RSV is a common virus that infects the respiratory tract and lungs, causing cold-like symptoms. In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable uptick in emergency room visits for RSV, particularly among children and older adults.
“Like whooping cough, RSV can be especially serious for infants and older adults,” Kay explained.
According to Kay, the best way to protect against these respiratory illnesses is through vaccination, and the type of vaccine a person needs depends on their age and health status.
“For older adults, this is not an annual vaccine. If you got one last year, you do not need one this year,” Kay said. “Getting these vaccines during 32-36 weeks of pregnancy passes protection from the mother to the baby so that the baby is protected in the first six months of life.”
Doctors recommend RSV immunizations for all babies under eight months during their first RSV season unless the mother received the RSV vaccine during pregnancy. Children aged 8-19 months who are at high risk should also receive the RSV immunization. However, if the mother was vaccinated during pregnancy, it is only recommended for babies at very high risk.
Misconceptions about vaccination safety continue to circulate, but Public Health – Seattle & King County works to address these concerns. Vaccines do not cause disease or weaken the immune system.
“Many vaccines can cause side effects that are similar to flu or COVID symptoms, so it makes sense that people might think this,” Kay said. “However, the side effects you may feel after getting a vaccine are a sign that the vaccines are working.”
Vaccines are highly effective in preventing infections but do not offer 100% protection. Their effectiveness can vary based on factors such as age and underlying medical conditions. Kay emphasized that vaccines are rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness before being approved, with clinical trials involving tens of thousands of people.
Some parents remain concerned about a potential link between vaccines and autism, but extensive studies involving more than one million children have definitively concluded that vaccines do not cause autism.
Kay described immunizations as a cornerstone of public health.
“Vaccines are critical to the prevention and control of infectious disease outbreaks, they underpin global health security, and they are a vital tool in the battle against antimicrobial resistance,” she said.
Public Health – Seattle & King County urges everyone to stay up-to-date with their flu and COVID vaccinations this winter. With high rates of whooping cough and increasing RSV cases locally, protecting yourself and your children is more important than ever.
Vaccines are widely available at most pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and health clinics. Most insurance plans – including Apple Health and Medicare – cover the cost of vaccines. For those without insurance or who need assistance, no-cost resources are available. Visit kingcounty.gov/findaclinic for more information on where to find a vaccination site near you.
