Infectious disease specialists at Inova and the Fairfax Health District emphasize the importance of updated COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccinations, including flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and pneumonia for everyone, especially vulnerable populations. Also, ensure you are up to date on tetanus and pertussis vaccines.

In an interview, Dr. Tracy Connell from Inova emphasized the need for updated vaccines due to evolving strains. She explained that the COVID summer surge was due to different variants and the virus's similarity to influenza. Connell advised starting vaccinations now for maximum efficacy and clarified that it is safe to receive both COVID-19 and flu vaccines simultaneously. The maximum efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine is believed to last about three-to-four months, but some protection likely extends to about six months. 

According to Fairfax County Health Department’s COVID-19 Program Manager Amanda Burton, the Virginia Department of Health maintains a respiratory disease immunization dashboard, which shows that about 22 percent of Fairfax residents were vaccinated with the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine.

The CDC reports that the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024-2025 respiratory season can lower the risk of having long-lasting symptoms. 

“What's important to remember is that the COVID vaccination has consistently decreased the hospitalizations and deaths in people who are the most vulnerable,” said Connell.