State health director urges residents to get seasonal respiratory immunizations now

The Illinois Department of Public Health is reminding residents that now is the time to get immunizations against seasonal respiratory illnesses such as flu, COVID-19 and RSV, the agency said in a release.“Respiratory illnesses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV will only get more prevalent in the weeks ahead. Getting protected now gives you the best chance of avoiding illness at the holidays and through the long winter months ahead. And it not only protects you, it also protects your family, your co-workers, and your community,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra saidIllinois is currently seeing low levels of respiratory illness activity, but there are signs that flu is on the rise, the agency said. Historically, acute respiratory illnesses increase significantly during the winter months, when people spend more time indoors, making it easier for such illnesses to spread.IDPH said immunization remains the best form of protection against contracting seasonal respiratory illness and can lessen the