Fall Respiratory Virus Vaccines: A Guide for New Yorkers

It’s finally fall, and with that comes the return of respiratory viruses.

Dr. Michelle Morse, acting health commissioner and chief medical officer of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, recently discussed the flu and COVID-19 vaccines with All Things considered host Sean Carlson.

Her guidance is simple: “It’s time to get your COVID, flu and RSV vaccine if you’re eligible.”

Here is a lightly edited transcript of their conversation:

Sean Carlson: Who should get the COVID and flu vaccines right now?

Dr. Michelle Morse: It is a source of confusion, and I am here to try to make it plain for New Yorkers and your listeners. First and foremost, for anyone who’s 6 months old and above, ther are zero safety concerns about the COVID vaccine. we are recommending that everyone 6 months and above get an updated COVID shot this fall to protect them as much as possible for the upcoming respiratory viral season.

There are a few groups that we are really strongly encouraging to get vaccinated: People who are above the age of 65 and anyone who is pregnant or considering being pregnant. And we’re also encouraging our babies, the age group of 6 months to 24 months. Those groups in particular will benefit tremendously.

The Centers for Disease Control’s Vaccine Advisory Board is recommending that people consult with their doctor before getting a coronavirus shot. That is a shift from previous federal policy that made vaccines widely available to almost all Americans older than 6 months for free and without question. What does it mean to consult with a clinician?

Unless you have a special or unique medical situation that requires you to have further consultation with your physician, there is no need for consultation. For the COVID vaccine,specifically,I want to underline again that there has been no new data presented about any safety concerns about the COVID vaccine. Again, my advice and the city’s recommendation, in partnership with New York State health commissioner, is that those 6 months and over should go ahead and get that vaccine.

I do worry that the very confusing messaging that is coming from our vaccination advisory council at the CDC, as well as the current U.S. health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are going to make people confused and concerned.We are in a position to say very, very clearly that it is recommended that New Yorkers 6 months old and above get the updated COVID vaccine.

How can New Yorkers get the vaccine at a pharmacy? Do they need to get a prescription for it?

Luckily, because of action by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the executive order that she signed a couple of weeks ago, New Yorkers do not need a prescription. In fact, the New York City Health Department just relaunched our New york City health map – nyc.gov/health – with updated facts about where you can get the COVID vaccine. It lists not only geographically lists any specific community you’re in, it also lists by insurance. We also list a number of places where you can go if you do not have insurance or you can’t afford to pay for a vaccine, a COVID vaccine.