Governor Josh Stein and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Secretary Dev Sangvai received their annual flu vaccines at a Walgreens in Raleigh, encouraging residents to get vaccinated against seasonal viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. The event took place as public health officials emphasize the importance of immunization ahead of the winter respiratory virus season.
“Getting vaccinated now is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community from the flu,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Vaccines are readily available, and I urge North Carolinians to get their seasonal vaccines as we enter cold and flu season.”
Secretary Sangvai also stressed the value of prevention: “The best way to prevent getting seriously ill from the flu, COVID, and other respiratory illnesses is to get vaccinated, especially if you are high risk. Treating flu early can also decrease your risk,” he said. “That’s why NCDHHS is increasing access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment with Test to Treat for Flu Standing Orders and the COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Orders.”
Medical organizations including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend vaccination as the most effective method for preventing severe illness from these viruses. Vaccination is particularly important for people with weakened immune systems or certain chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes.
NCDHHS monitors activity related to flu, COVID-19, and RSV through various surveillance methods including emergency department visits and lab testing. The agency publishes weekly updates on its Respiratory Virus Summary Dashboard so communities can track local trends.
Data from last year show that adults aged 18-64 who received a COVID-19 vaccine had about one-third lower risk of visiting an emergency department or urgent care due to COVID-19 compared to those unvaccinated; older adults saw hospitalizations cut by about half. Those who did not receive a flu shot were twice as likely to require medical care for influenza. Last year also marked North Carolina’s highest number of flu-related deaths since 2009.
Both flu and COVID-19 vaccines have federal approval for individuals six months old or older. Uninsured children may be eligible for free vaccinations through programs like Vaccines for Children.
RSV vaccination is recommended for adults over 75 years old; adults aged 50–74 at increased risk; and pregnant women during weeks 32–36 gestation to help protect infants. Health officials advise parents consult healthcare providers about additional options against severe RSV disease.
Vaccines are widely available at pharmacies, private medical offices, federally qualified health centers, and local health departments across North Carolina.
Additional preventive measures include frequent handwashing or use of sanitizer; avoiding touching one’s face; disinfecting commonly touched surfaces; covering coughs/sneezes with tissues; staying home when sick except for seeking medical care/testing; isolating within households when possible; not sharing personal items; and wearing masks around others if ill.
For more information on accessing vaccines or tracking respiratory virus data in North Carolina communities visit https://flu.ncdhhs.gov/ or https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/.
