FOUNTAIN HILL, Pa. — Fall is known as the time when sickness spreads, and a local infectious disease specialist urges parents to get their children vaccinated as students head back to school.
"Not only is it time to now consider getting the new variant COVID vaccine, but to obviously, definitely take advantage of the influenza vaccine,” Dr. Jeffrey Jahre said.
Jahre is St. Luke’s University Health Network’s senior vice president of medical and academic affairs and section chief emeritus of infectious diseases.
He said the summer months saw a surge in some respiratory viruses and the fall typically is when cases of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, increase even more.
"Everybody is sick of hearing about COVID, everybody is sick about vaccinations, and this is really creating many, many problems."Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, St. Luke’s University Health Network’s senior vice president of medical and academic affairs and section chief emeritus of infectious diseases
Jahre said that, after the coronavirus pandemic, many people may be tired of hearing about vaccinations, but many of the routine shots, such as the flu vaccine, save lives.
"Everybody is sick of hearing about COVID, everybody is sick about vaccinations, and this is really creating many, many problems,” he said.
'A potential threat'
Jahre is stressing the importance of being proactive and getting yourself and your children vaccinated to avoid complications that would lead to hospitalization and even death.
"We unfortunately saw a number of deaths that could have been avoided.”Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, St. Luke’s University Health Network
"Influenza has always been a potential threat and it can be a threat to both the healthy the young, as well as the elderly," he said.
"And only about 35 percent of the individuals who are eligible to take the influenza vaccine last fall took it, which had enormous effects.
“We saw people who were otherwise healthy wind up in the hospital. We unfortunately saw a number of deaths that could have been avoided.”
Jahre said a flu shot should be top priority for anyone older than 6 months.
"Even in a bad match year, the influenza vaccine has been found to be very, very helpful in preventing you from having the more severe side effects,” Jahre said.
He also said a new COVID vaccine is expected out soon and it’s not considered a booster.
Now is time for preventive measures
There also is the recently approved RSV vaccine available for the very young, elderly and those who are pregnant.
"If in your last stage of pregnancy, I would strongly recommend that you speak to your gynecologist about getting that RSV vaccine because of the kind of help that it can give to your newborn," Jahre said.
"And it may have some real major advantages later on in that newborn's life, and their ability to not develop certain diseases like asthma or chronic lung disease and obviously, bronchiolitis. "
Students heading back inside after the summer months and congregating inside the classroom often causes the spread of many of these infections, so Jahre warned that now is the time to start thinking about preventive measures.
"Please don't give up on vaccinations. There are some that are absolutely tried and true and proven. There are some that are very specialized for certain population groups."Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, St. Luke’s University Health Network’s senior vice president of medical and academic affairs and section chief emeritus of infectious diseases
"Please don't give up on vaccinations," he said. "There are some that are absolutely tried and true and proven. There are some that are very specialized for certain population groups.
"I would have a very serious discussion with your primary care provider or your specialist about which vaccinations are appropriate for you.”
Jahre said the best time to get the respiratory virus vaccines is late fall, just before the holiday season.
