Protect Against Respiratory Viruses

Being indoors during colder weather brings increased risk for catching respiratory infection from others. Protect yourself and your family against respiratory illnesses including flu, pneumonia, covid-19, and RSV by receiving up-to-date vaccinations, plus keep covid-19 tests on hand. As of October 23, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults age 50 and older get the pneumonia vaccine (click here for info). Vaccinations not only protect yourself and your loved ones, but also your surrounding community including people who are more vulnerable to infection and those unable to receive vaccinations.

The Ohio Department of Health reminds Ohioans that a 2024-2025 Covid-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older, but especially people age 65+, at high risk for severe illness and/or living in a long-term care facility. Learn more about ODH vaccine recommendations here.

In addition, the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services offers four, free at-home Covid-19 tests to every U.S. household to help protect yourself and others against illness. Click here for the official COVIDtests.gov website. Tests may be ordered through this website’s online form or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).