Itās officially autumn in Colorado! The leaves are changing into brilliant yellows and reds, kids are picking out their Halloween costumes and giggling about the candy theyāll get trick-or-treating, and families are visiting pumpkin patches and apple orchards with delicious fall drinks in hand. And while October brings lots of joy, it also marks the start of respiratory virus seasonāwhich isnāt so joyful. Respiratory viruses, like flu, COVID-19, and RSV, tend to circulate in the fall and winter, which is why now is the perfect time to get vaccines that protect against them. Vaccines are one of the best tools we have to stay healthy, especially this time of year! In this blog post, we break down each of these viruses and the vaccines that protect against them. Read on to learn about the symptoms and potential complications, as well as vaccine recommendations.
Influenza (Flu)
What is it?
Influenza, more commonly called āflu,ā is a virus can cause fever and chills, body aches, cough, runny nose, fatigue, headaches, and even diarrhea and vomiting. It spreads through droplets made when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks. The flu can be mild, but often causes more severe illness than traditional cold viruses. It can even lead to hospitalization or death. Luckily, we have an annual vaccine that helps to prevent flu!
Why is the vaccine important?
Young children, pregnant people, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions like asthma are at high risk for complications from the flu. These include pneumonia (lung infection), bronchitis (inflammation of airways), and encephalitis (brain swelling). On average, more than 100 children in the U.S. die from flu every year; about 80-90% of these deaths occur in children who were not vaccinated for flu.Ā
Who should get vaccinated?
While the flu vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing flu, it does significantly lower your chance of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from flu. In short, the flu can be serious, so getting a flu shot every year is important! Everyone 6 months and older should get one before the end of October. However, getting the vaccine later in the season is better than not getting a vaccine at all.Ā
COVID-19
What is it?
COVID-19 is a very contagious disease that causes a wide range of symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, cough, sore throat, and trouble breathing. It can also cause nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. COVID-19 spreads through droplets made when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks.
Why is the vaccine important?
COVID-19 is often mild, but some people get very sick. Older adults, pregnant people, and those with certain health conditions are at high risk for complications from COVID-19. Healthy adults and kids can also get very sick from it. Some people who get sick may develop long-term health issues (known collectively as āLong COVIDā), blood clots, or a heart condition called MIS-C. Between 2020 (when the pandemic started) and 2024, there were over 1 million deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S. Estimates show that between October 2024 and September 2025, there were between 13.8 and 20.3 million cases of COVID-19 and between 44,000 and 63,000 deaths.Ā The public health emergency may be over, but COVID-19 is certainly still around.
Who should get vaccinated?
Like with flu, some people who get a COVID-19 vaccine will still get sick, but the vaccine lowers the chance of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Thatās why itās worth it to get vaccinated! Most people should get a COVID-19 vaccine, including:
- Kids aged 6 ā 23 months
- Adults 19 years and older, including those who are pregnant or lactating
Kids and teens aged 2 ā 18 years may also get vaccinated if their parent and healthcare provider wish.
RSV
What is it?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) causes cold-like symptoms. It can be especially dangerous for babies, toddlers, and older adults. RSV typically circulates in the fall. It spreads similarly to flu and COVID-19, through droplets made when someone sneezes, coughs, or talks.Ā
Why is the vaccine important?
Every year, about 70,000 kids under 5 are hospitalized due to RSV; it is the main cause of hospitalization in babies. Between 100 and 300 kids and between 6,000 and 10,000 adults die every year from RSV. For a long time, there was no vaccine to protect against RSV. But new vaccines and treatments are now available.Ā
Who should get vaccinated?
To protect infants, there are two options available: a vaccine for pregnant people and monoclonal antibody treatments for babies. The vaccine is given during pregnancy between 32 and 36 weeks gestation during RSV season. It provides immediate protection to the newborn that lasts about 6 months. Pregnant people only need to receive the vaccine once, and not during future pregnancies. If they did not get the vaccine while pregnant, their baby can get a monoclonal antibody treatment (either nirsevimab or clesrovimab) during their first RSV season at up to 8 months old. High risk babies 8 ā 19 months can get a treatment during their second RSV season, too. Whereas vaccines teach the immune system to make its own antibodies, monoclonal antibodies are a direct infusion of antibodies.Ā
Older adults can also get vaccinated. Adults 75 and older should get one dose of RSV vaccine. Those aged 60 ā 74 years at high risk for RSV can also get the vaccine.
The Bottom Lineā¦
Vaccines are one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting sick this fall (along with handwashing and covering your month and nose to sneeze and cough). Now is the best time to get vaccinated! Schedule a vaccine appointment at your primary care office, local public health agency, pharmacy, or community health clinic.
Learn more about vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases: https://immunizeforgood.com/
Find a vaccine provider in Colorado: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/immunizations/get-vaccinatedĀ