Respiratory Virus Season

Immunization Season

DULUTH, Minn. — The St. Louis County Health Department reports the number of flu cases so far this year has been low. But doctors stress the flu will take over. And it’s not just the flu that we need to be concerned with, it is now called the “respiratory virus season.”

Suzy Van Norman a Disease Prevention Public Health Nurse for St. Louis County explained the change,

“Because there are three different respiratory illnesses circulating. We have influenza, RSV and Covid and they’re all involved in our respiratory system.”

The newest Covid vaccine came out in September. Also this year the new RSV vaccine was introduced.

Doctors say it’s been a tough year for vaccinations, with more people experiencing immunization fatigue.

Van Norman said, “It’s never too late to get your shots. So you can get your shots at your local pharmacy or calling your primary or you can also call us at public health if you don’t have insurance. We are currently serving under-insured and uninsured people. So there’s a lot of different places you can go.”

There are specific age ranges for the three vaccines:
A flu shot is recommended for anyone 6 months and older.
A higher-level influenza dose is advised for people 60 and older.
As for the Covid shot, it’s designed all people 6 months and older.
People under 2 and adults 60 and older should get the RSV Vaccination.

A survey done by the Kaiser Family Foundation Monitor shows that just 20 percent of adults have received the updated Covid vaccine. While more than half of respondents say they probably or definitely will not get the updated vaccine.