With respiratory virus season ramping up this fall, Santa Barbara County health officials are encouraging residents to get their seasonal flu and COVID-19 shots.
Influenza, COVID-19 and RSV contributed to a surge in hospitalizations last February, and the three viruses were also responsible for dozens of local deaths and outbreaks, according to the annual Santa Barbara County Respiratory Viruses Report.
“Influenza is not like sniffles,” said County Public Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg. “It’s a really severe infection that does kill people, including children.”
The flu was linked to 28 deaths in Santa Barbara County during the last respiratory virus season, which ran from late September through April. COVID-19 caused 14 deaths, and RSV accounted for seven. The report also noted clusters of COVID-19 cases in settings like schools and care facilities, prompting renewed attention on vaccination as the most reliable form of protection.
“I encourage people to get vaccinated; the vaccines are really well tolerated, and they’re really safe,” Ansorg said. “They give you an extra protection, and it’s particularly important for people who are over 65 or who have underlying chronic medical conditions.”
California Department of Public Health guidelines recommend both the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines for everyone six months and older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says eligible individuals may safely receive both during the same visit.
This year’s updated COVID-19 vaccine is especially well-suited to combat the currently circulating variant, Ansorg said. While the flu shot is based on a seasonal forecast of likely strains, the COVID formulation was developed by tracking mutations in real time.
“The antibodies that get stimulated are stronger because they really matched it well,” he said. “That’s why it’s good to get the updated version, even if you had a COVID shot last year.”
Ansorg said the updated COVID-19 shot serves as a booster for most people, but “you can also start with that one if you never had a COVID shot.” He added that the vaccine is safe during pregnancy and can help protect newborns by passing antibodies along before birth.
Residents seeking their COVID-19 shots will find distribution has shifted from previous years. Ansorg said that with the end of federal funding for the vaccination program, large-scale county-run clinics are no longer being offered.
Instead, COVID-19 vaccinations are now handled through health insurance.
“It’s available in pharmacies; that’s probably the easiest way to get it here,” Ansorg said, noting that shots are typically also available through primary care providers and urgent care clinics.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting the flu vaccine by the end of October for optimal protection ahead of the winter season, though vaccination later in the season can still be beneficial.
