Posted November 21, 2024
As holiday season gatherings approach, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is reminding Coloradans that immunizations against respiratory viruses can protect them and their loved ones, including those who may be at increased risk from COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus.
CDPHE is reprising 1,2,3 Protect You and Me, a public awareness campaign that debuted last respiratory virus season. It highlights in English and Spanish three easy steps Coloradans can take right now to protect themselves and others from respiratory illnesses. It urges Coloradans to:
- Get all recommended vaccines, including flu and COVID-19.
- Take everyday protective steps like covering coughs and sneezes (into a tissue or your elbow), frequent handwashing, and staying home when you are sick.
- Talk with their health care provider about their or their child’s risk for severe RSV and the potential benefits of RSV immunizations.
“As we prepare for the busy holiday season, it’s important to remember that flu, COVID-19, and RSV can be serious and even life threatening, especially for people at higher risk. Immunization reduces the risk of getting seriously ill. It also reduces the risk of spreading the virus to others, including those who are most vulnerable. Immunizations are one of the most important gifts we can give to ourselves and others,” said CDPHE Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ned Calonge.
Because vaccines usually take a couple weeks to offer maximum protection, Coloradans should get vaccinated now to prepare for seasonal get-togethers. The education campaign directs Coloradans to 123ProtectYouAndMe.org for information, including how to find low or no-cost vaccines near them.
CDPHE has sent texts and emails to hundreds of thousands of Coloradans who may be more at risk of serious illness — such as adults 50 years and older and children younger than 5 — whose records in the Colorado Immunization Information System show they may be due for their annual flu vaccine.
This fall, CDPHE also integrated its statewide monitoring of respiratory virus data, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV, into a single dashboard which is updated every Wednesday by 4 p.m. The dashboard provides data from hospital admissions, diagnoses and wastewater surveillance reports, among other sources, showing disease prevalence and trends.
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