CMO consortium encourages vaccines against flu, COVID-19

news@greenecountymessenger.com
Leaders of regional health care systems are encouraging Southwestern Pennsylvania residents to take steps to protect themselves from the flu, COVID-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) this fall and winter.
The Western PA Regional Chief Medical Officers Consortium advises residents to get this year’s flu and new COVID-19 vaccine for added protection from complications and severe illness from those infections. Those over 60 years old also can get the RSV vaccine for protection.
The consortium recommends:
Do not go to work or school when you think you are ill. If you have a fever, cough, sore throat, or breathing problem, do a COVID-19 self-test or see your physician. Testing prevents the spread of infection, CMOs said.
If you test positive for flu or COVID-19, contact your doctor or another professional to see what treatment is best.
The CMO consortium said those who are older, have a weakened immune system, or have other chronic medical conditions, the risk of needing hospital care, intensive care, or even dying from those respiratory viruses is higher than others in the community.
Member include CMOs from Allegheny Health Network, Heritage Valley Health System, Washington Health System, Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, Punxsutawney Area Hospital, UPMC, St. Clair Health, Conemaugh Health System, Sharon Regional Medical Center, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber, Independence Health System, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Penn Highlands Healthcare, and Indiana Regional Medical Center.