Catawba County News
Vaccines offer protection against respiratory disease
Published: November 05, 2025
VACCINES OFFER PROTECTION IN RESPIRATORY ILLNESS SEASON
HICKORY, NC – With lower temperatures in the area, now is the time for Catawba County residents to get vaccinated against common respiratory illnesses that circulate more in cooler months. For some people, this can include annual influenza (flu) vaccine, updated COVID-19 vaccine or vaccine to protect vulnerable people against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
Typically, there are more cases of the flu, COVID-19 and RSV in the fall and winter. Getting your flu, COVID or RSV vaccine in the fall gives your body time to build up immunity before viruses begin circulating in higher numbers, ensuring you have the most protection for the time when the viruses are at their peak circulation. Even if you did not get your shots before the end of October, get them when you can, as they will provide protection from viruses during the rest of the season.
Catawba County Public Health encourages individuals to discuss what respiratory virus vaccines are right for them with their health care provider or pharmacist.
“Although all three of these respiratory viruses usually cause mild illness, for some people, they can result in serious illness and hospitalization. This is especially true in the most vulnerable populations, like babies, pregnant women and older adults. That means staying up to date on vaccines is important for everyone, not just high-risk individuals or their caregivers” said Health Director Jennifer McCracken. “Vaccines are one of the best ways we can protect ourselves because we never know if we are going to get severely ill, even from a disease that is normally mild, and we can spread the illness to others before we ever know we are sick ourselves.”
While vaccines are not 100% effective, they do still prevent many cases of illness. For people who do get sick, vaccines can also shorten how long they are sick and make symptoms less severe.
Protection from respiratory illness decreases over time, even for those who have been sick or gotten their vaccines in the past. Keeping vaccines up to date provides the best protection because these viruses also change over time. Getting an updated vaccine allows our immune system to develop antibodies for the strains currently circulating and causing the most illnesses and hospitalizations this season.
“We hope this is a step everyone takes to stay healthy this respiratory virus season,” said McCracken. “In addition to vaccines, staying away from people when we feel sick, handwashing, and covering coughs and sneezes are all ways we can prevent illness while protecting ourselves, our families and our community.”
Most health insurance plans will cover vaccines at no cost to the patient. Adults who don’t have health insurance or have health plans that do not cover the cost of vaccines can discuss options with their provider or Catawba County Public Health. The Vaccines for Children program helps eligible children get free vaccines from a provider enrolled in that program, including Catawba County Public Health.
Flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines are widely available in the community at health care provider offices, pharmacies and Catawba County Public Health. If you aren’t sure where to go, there is a vaccine finder tool available at https://www.vaccines.gov/en/. For people who wish to obtain their vaccines at Catawba County Public Health, appointments should be made by calling (828) 695-5881 or using the online request form on Catawba County Public Health’s web site at https://www.catawbacountync.gov/county-services/public-health/forms/request-an-appointment/. Eligibility and costs for these shots can vary.