Flu
Department of Health Releases Updated Influenza Resources
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has released updated influenza resources.
As a reminder, the Influenza Awareness Act of 2016 requires that Long-Term Care Facilities, including Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Residences, post DOH’s Influenza poster. You will find the updated poster for the 2023-2024 season here, as well as an updated Influenza toolkit. This information is also available under the “provider resources’ section of PCH/ALR Home web page.
Additional information can be located by visiting DOH’s Influenza Resources for Long-Term Care Facilities website.
Holiday Season Health & Safety Reminders
As the holiday season approaches, remember to protect yourself and others by staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 and flu vaccines. You may be eligible to receive your flu vaccine at the same time as a recommended COVID-19 vaccine. Your healthcare practitioner or pharmacist can help you decide if you should receive both vaccines at the same time.
Flu Vaccine
CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every flu season, with rare exceptions. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from influenza. A full listing of people at Higher Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications is available.
COVID-19 Vaccine
CDC recommends that people ages 5 years and older receive one updated (bivalent) booster if it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether that was:
- Their final primary series dose; or
- An original (monovalent) booster.
People who have gotten more than one original (monovalent) booster are also recommended to get an updated (bivalent) booster.
Staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination is important for maximum protection. You are up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines if you have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and received the most recent booster dose recommended for you by CDC.
You are still up-to-date if you receive all COVID-19 vaccine doses recommended for you and then become ill with COVID-19. You do not need to be immediately revaccinated or receive an additional booster.
Updated (bivalent) boosters became available on:
- September 2, 2022, for people 12 years of age and older; and
- October 12, 2022, for people aged 5–11.
Your healthcare practitioner, including your pharmacist, can help you determine if you are up to date with your vaccines.
Additional Resources
Inside Aging December 2022 Newsletter Now Available
Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations and Boosters — Holiday Guidance
ODP Announcement 22-118 reminds Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) providers of the expectation to support individuals to access all available and recommended vaccinations and promote health and safety by providing helpful reminders about holiday gatherings.
ODP expects that providers will ensure that all individuals supported have timely opportunities to remain up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination as defined by the CDC and are educated on how to practice heathy habits. This announcement also shares resources available to support people in making safe decisions during the holiday season.