RSV

RSV was in full swing throughout November, but vaccine levels for it and other respiratory diseases remain low - especially in high-risk populations.

When families and friends congregate in small spaces, they will be bringing whatever variants of flu, COVID and other viruses with them.

Anyone with COVID-19 during the summer has some, but not full, protection against germs spreading in fall and winter. Infectious disease experts recommend what shots to get now.

While not perfect, vaccinations are the best bet for avoiding a bad case of flu or COVID-19 this fall and winter. The CDC recommends these vaccinations for ages 6 months and older.

It starts earlier and runs longer than anywhere else in the U.S., according to UF’s Emerging Pathogens Institute. Most older adults, who are vulnerable to the disease, haven’t been vaccinated yet.

Capital Health Plan doctors invite area residents to take a stroll with them around Tallahassee's Cascades Park as part of a healthy lifestyle.

As respiratory virus activity picks up around the country, vaccine levels remain below last year's totals, according to the CDC. Cohen has been on national blitz to improve those numbers.

As the flu season progresses, 11 states are reporting a high level of illnesses. Also, the CDC says it is looking into reports of outbreaks of pneumonia in two states but doesn't believe it’s due to anything unusual.

Reports of the seasonal virus are rising nationally, but experts said RSV is not expected to generate the kind of widespread patient traffic seen last fall, when hospitals were overwhelmed with sick, wheezing kids.

It's not uncommon for cases of respiratory illness to rise in the winter months, but health officials are still encouraging vaccination to protect folks during gatherings.