BY JOYCE RICHINS, RN, BS, CIC
Los Alamos County Health Council Member

As a Infection Preventionist, I would like to help prepare you for the 2026-2027 Respiratory Virus Season. Influenza, RSV and COVID are just around the corner. Respiratory virus season is typically October to April.

This all depends on several factors:

 The emergence of new variants, unpredictable in their infectivity.
 The incidence of vaccine uptake.
 Vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization of the 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine or influenza seasonal vaccine.

Immunization against all three viruses continues to be the best way to protect against hospitalization, long term health impact, and death.  Updated immunizations are available for all.

Getting a flu, COVID-19, or RSV vaccine is a safer, more effective way for your body to build protection than the risk of getting very sick with a respiratory virus. You could still get sick after being vaccinated but your symptoms will usually be milder than if you did not receive the vaccine.  Additionally, even in mild cases of respiratory virus, it can spread to other more vulnerable individuals, such as babies and the elderly, and they can get it more severely.

Annual Influenza Vaccine:
Everyone 6 months and older (with rare exception) should get a flu vaccine every season.  The flu vaccine is safe and effective.  People cannot get the flu from the vaccine (only the nasal vaccine contains a live virus).  Some people may have a mild reaction that causes them to feel tired for a day as well as soreness at the site. The recommendation is to receive the flu vaccine by the end of October since we don’t know when flu season starts. The flu vaccine takes about 2 weeks to effectively stimulate immunity in your body. There is a high dose flu vaccine recommended for people over 65 years of age.

Annual COVID-19 Vaccine:
COVID-19 vaccines help keep you from getting very sick and help keep you from going to the hospital.  The COVID-19 virus has changed over time.  The updated 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine is specific to the current variant (version of the virus). If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past two months, you can get the updated vaccine at this time.

One time RSV Vaccine:
One of the following immunizations is recommended to protect infants from severe RSV: a maternal RSV vaccine given during pregnancy or an RSV antibody given to infants after birth.  RSV vaccine is recommended for all adults ages 75 years and older and for adults ages 50-74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV.   If you have already received an RSV vaccine, you do not need to get another one at this time.   You can receive the RSV vaccine at any time,but the best time to get vaccinated is late summer and early fall.

LAMC is once again offering flu vaccines via a Drive-Thru clinic.  The date is set forSaturday, September 26, 2026 at the Los Alamos Medical Center back parking lot from 8am-12 noon.  The process is smooth and quick.  You stay in your car and roll down your window, receive your shot and you are done! 

We will have the over-65 vaccine.  We will also give flu shots to children ages 9 and older.  COVID and RSV vaccines are available at local pharmacies.  Schedule your vaccines through their website. Some offer drop-in services.  

In addition to vaccines this fall, there are more ways to protect yourself and your family from respiratory virus:

 Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too. Putting physical distance between yourself and others can help lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.

 Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you’re sick. You can
go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
o Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
o You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

 Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Respiratory viruses are thought to spread mainly by droplets made when people with the illness cough, sneeze, talk or sing. Wearing a mask is an additional prevention strategy that you can choose to do to further protect yourself and others. When worn by a person with an infection, masks reduce the spread of the virus to others. Masks can also protect wearers from breathing in infectious particles from people around them.

 Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

 Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

 Take steps for cleaner air.
You can improve air quality by bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air or gathering outdoors. Cleaner air can reduce the risk of exposure to viruses.

 Practice good hygiene and other healthy habits.
Cleaning frequently touched surfaces, such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs regularly can help prevent the spread of some illnesses. Also, get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/index.html

Joyce Richins, RN, BS, CIC, Infection Preventionist, is a long-time resident of Los Alamos. She is a member of the Los Alamos County Health Council and has worked at Los Alamos Medical Center for more than 33 years.