September 27, 2024 - Harrisburg, PA
Leaders from the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Insurance visited a Harrisburg pharmacy today to encourage all Pennsylvanians to stay up to date on their annual vaccinations to protect against flu, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) heading into respiratory disease season, which officially starts September 29. "It is important to protect yourself and your family from severe illness by getting updated vaccinations before respiratory disease season kicks into high gear,"said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen."Vaccines are now available across the state, and it is safe to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations at the same time. The vaccines boost your body's natural defenses against these viruses. Respiratory virus vaccines slow the spread of disease, prevent severe illness, and lower the likelihood of hospitalizations, especially among children, older adults, and people who have weakened immune systems." During the 2023-2024 respiratory virus season, which took place between October 1, 2023, and September 21, 2024, there were 178,243 laboratory-confirmed flu cases and nearly 500 deaths; 72,477 emergency department visits with a COVID-19 diagnosis and over 2,000 deaths; and 55,757 confirmed RSV cases.Speaker list:Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra BogenPennsylvania Insurance Department Commissioner Michael HumphreysVictoria Elliott, RPh, MBA, CAE, CEO of PA Pharmacists AssociationPaul Bowers, PharmD, Pharmacy Manager at See-Right Pharmacy
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