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With the winter virus season among us, it’s important to keep colleagues and WIC participants healthy. Let them know that everyone, including pregnant people, 6 months of age and older needs an updated flu and COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness this season. Infants and pregnant persons also need protection against RSV.
This holiday season, help people gather in joy, rather than stay home sick:
· Encourage pregnant people and parents of infants and toddlers to ask their healthcare provider about the new immunization against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes a mild cold, but can also cause severe disease, especially in infants. For babies, getting RSV can lead to trouble breathing, pneumonia, hospitalization, and death. RSV immunization is recommended for pregnant persons between 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy to protect infants, infants under 8 months of age if RSV vaccine was not given during late pregnancy, and infants and toddlers 8 through 19 months of age at high risk for severe RSV.
· Communicate to pregnant clients that getting vaccines against COVID-19, flu, RSV, and whooping cough vaccines while pregnant can safely help protect them and their baby from these diseases. Vaccinating during pregnancy helps protect young babies when they are most vulnerable to serious infections.
· Stay up to date on your own immunizations, setting an example for the WIC participants you assist! These immunizations are a safe and a powerful way to help prevent severe illness and hospitalization—you can even get them all at the same time!
Medi-Cal covers immunizations for all adults given at the doctor’s office or an in-network pharmacy. If your participant is unable to get immunized at their doctor’s office, encourage them to get vaccinated at the same pharmacy where they pick up their prenatal vitamins or other prescriptions.
You can also recommend or help participants check My Turn to find a location and schedule an appointment for flu and COVID-19 vaccine. Family members under age 19 who meet Medi-Cal eligibility are eligible for free vaccinations through California’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program.
Also of note, the Digital Vaccine Record (DVR) portal allows participants to readily access their or their children’s immunization records and can be used as proof of immunization for school/childcare entry or work. The DVR can also be printed.
More Resources
Immunizations for a Healthy Pregnancy brochure | Spanish
Expecting? Protect Yourself and Your Baby Against Flu, RSV, Whooping Cough, and COVID-19! flyer | Spanish
Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines toolkit (CDPH)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) toolkit (CDPH)
COVID-19 Vaccine and Pregnancy flyer | Spanish (CDPH)
Wild to Mild Flu Campaign toolkit (CDC)
Thank you for helping to protect pregnant people and their babies from serious respiratory illnesses!
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