Vaccine Q&A: COVID-19, Flu, and RSV
Protect yourself against these respiratory illnesses
Protect yourself against these respiratory illnesses
Respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19, influenza (flu) and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), tend to circulate more easily during fall and winter due to cooler temperatures, lower humidity and people spending more time indoors.
These viruses primarily spread through coughs, sneezes and close contact with others. These infections can cause mild symptoms but may also lead to serious illness — especially in young children, older adults and people with chronic conditions.
Vaccines remain one of the best ways to prevent serious illness from these viruses. They provide a safe way to build protection. Vaccines can also help boost your immune response, even if you’ve had an infection before.
“Getting vaccinated is a more secure path to immunity than falling ill from infections,” says Anthony Chong, MD, a family medicine physician and chief medical officer at Scripps Coastal Medical Center.
“Even for those who’ve already been sick or hospitalized due to infections, vaccines provide an extra layer of defense. The best way to stay protected is to keep your vaccinations current.”
Fall is the best time to get vaccinated so your immune system is prepared before virus activity increases.
Here’s what you need to know about the COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines.
What’s new this year
Q: Are there any updates to vaccine recommendations?
A. Yes. Scripps follows guidance from the West Coast Health Alliance, a regional partnership that includes California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. Their recommendations are based on the latest scientific evidence and align with recommendations from the California Department of Public Health.
The Alliance recommends the updated COVID-19 vaccine be available to anyone 6 months and older who wants protection, not just people considered at high risk. For flu and RSV, recommendations remain in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
COVID-19 vaccine
Q: Who should get the vaccine?
A: Vaccination is recommended for anyone who wants protection. It is especially recommended for people at higher risk for serious illness, including:
- Adults 65 and older
- Adults younger than 65 with risk factors
- Women who are pregnant, postpartum or planning to become pregnant
- Infants and toddlers 6–23 months
- Children 2–18 with risk factors or who were never vaccinated
- People who live with or care for high-risk loved ones
Q: What should I know about the variants and the updated vaccine’s efficacy?
A: Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available from Moderna, Novavax and Pfizer. These vaccines are designed to provide stronger protection against the COVID variants currently circulating and help reduce your risk of becoming severely ill, needing hospitalization or dying from infection.
Flu vaccine
Q: What’s the advice on flu vaccines?
A: It’s important to get the flu vaccine every year, especially in the fall. Everyone 6 months and older should get their flu shot. People with egg allergies do not need special monitoring after vaccination anymore.
Q. Can I get the COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines at the same time?
A. Yes. It’s safe and effective to get all three vaccines during the same visit. Your immune system can build protection against multiple viruses at once.
RSV vaccine
Q. How can I protect myself and my family against RSV this year?
A. RSV is a common virus that can cause mild, cold-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to more severe respiratory illness, especially in infants and older adults.
The RSV vaccine is recommended for:
- Adults 75 and older
- Adults 50–74 with risk factors (chronic health conditions)
- Pregnant women (32-36 weeks, to protect newborns)
An RSV antibody injection, which is different than the RSV vaccine, is recommended for infants (younger than 8 months and 8-19 months with risk factors).
An RSV antibody injection provides immediate and short-term protection by giving antibodies directly to the infants body. An RSV vaccine stimulates the immune system to create antibodies.
Consult your primary care physician before getting vaccinated to see if an RSV vaccine is right for you.
Vaccine locations
Q. Where can I get vaccinated?
A. There are several ways to get vaccinated in your community:
- Primary care offices
- Pharmacies and grocery store clinics
- Community health centers and walk-in clinics
- County-run vaccination sites
You can also visit MyTurn.ca.gov, California’s official vaccine scheduling tool. It allows you to:
- Search for nearby clinics
- Filter by age, walk-in availability and insurance
- View available vaccines
- Access digital vaccine records
- Find clinics that accept patients without insurance
If you are in San Diego County, you can call 2-1-1. You can also visit the county’s COVID-19 or flu vaccination pages for more options.
Q. Where can I get a vaccine from Scripps?
A. Scripps offers COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines at locations throughout San Diego County.
You can get vaccinated in several places:
- At most Scripps Clinic and Scripps Coastal Medical Center primary care offices.
- At Scripps HealthExpress walk-in clinics (no appointment needed for most vaccines).
- At dedicated flu shot clinics (appointments required through MyScripps or your doctor’s office).
How to schedule:
- Log in to your MyScripps account to book appointments
- Call 1-800-SCRIPPS for vaccine information or scheduling help
Understanding symptoms
Q. How can I tell the difference between COVID-19, flu, RSV and a cold?
These illnesses may seem similar, but there are some important differences to note:
COVID-19: Symptoms may include cough, fever, fatigue and sometimes loss of taste or smell.
Flu: It often starts quickly with fever, chills, body aches and fatigue.
RSV: It often causes wheezing and trouble breathing, especially in babies and older adults.
Common cold: Symptoms are usually milder. Common signs include a runny nose, sneezing and a sore throat.
If you are unsure, your provider may recommend testing to confirm which virus is causing your symptoms.
When to call a doctor
Q. What symptoms should prompt medical attention?
A. Seek immediate care if you or your child has:
- Trouble breathing or wheezing
- Chest pain or pressure
- High fever that does not improve
- Dehydration in infants (few wet diapers, unusual sleepiness)
Early treatment can help prevent complications.
Why vaccination matters
Q. How do vaccines protect the community?
A. Vaccines reduce the risk of serious illness. They also help prevent the spread of viruses. This is important for vulnerable groups like newborns, seniors and people with chronic illnesses.