Guidance for Autumn 2025 Health Matters
Staying Healthy During the Fall and Winter: CDC Recommendations for Respiratory Illness Prevention
As the fall semester begins, it's important to prioritise health and wellness, especially in the face of ongoing respiratory illnesses. Here are some key recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help you stay healthy.
Vaccinations
The CDC advises staying up-to-date with several vaccinations to protect against respiratory illnesses during the colder months.
- Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine: Everyone aged 6 months and older should receive an annual flu vaccine, with the 2025-2026 vaccines being trivalent and mostly provided as single-dose, thimerosal-free formulations for children, pregnant women, and adults. Annual flu vaccination remains the best way to prevent flu and its complications.
- COVID-19 vaccines: Updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting prevalent Omicron lineages, including the JN.1 lineage, are recommended for the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and long COVID.
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunizations: RSV vaccines or monoclonal antibody products to lower hospitalization risk are advised, particularly for infants and older adults.
- Pneumococcal vaccines: Recommended for young children under 5, adults 50 years and older, and individuals with certain risk conditions to prevent pneumococcal diseases, which increase in incidence during fall and winter.
Other vaccines such as those for shingles or whooping cough may also be recommended based on individual risk factors.
Preventive Measures
In addition to vaccinations, there are several preventive measures to keep in mind:
- Regular hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is recommended to prevent respiratory illnesses.
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and discarding tissues in the trash after use is recommended. If a tissue is not available, sneezing into an elbow rather than into hands is advised.
- Wearing a mask around groups if symptomatic is advised to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.
- Drinking sufficient amounts of water is recommended to keep joints healthy, regulate temperature, aid concentration, and focus.
- Wash hands immediately after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Health Services
Student Health Services at our university offers walk-in hours Monday through Friday from 9 to 11 a.m., and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and extended hours till 7 p.m. on Thursdays during the fall semester. Flu vaccines are available to students during annual vaccination clinics and regular office visits.
For any questions regarding health services or vaccinations, contact Student Health Services at health@our website.
Sleep, Exercise, and Sunlight
Aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night for optimum physical and mental health. Regular physical activity, even brisk walking, can boost mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and help with clear thinking. Engaging in outdoor physical activities offers the added benefit of exposure to sunlight.
Prevention is Key
Remember, prevention is the best course for staying healthy during the fall and winter months. By following these recommendations, you can help protect yourself and those around you from respiratory illnesses.
[1] CDC. (2025). Seasonal Influenza (Flu). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/ [2] CDC. (2025). COVID-19 Vaccines. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html [3] CDC. (2025). Vaccines and Immunizations. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ [4] CDC. (2025). Pneumococcal Diseases. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/ [5] CDC. (2025). Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/
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