By Donald Gilpin

As the holiday season gears up, along with colder temperatures and an increase in indoor activities, local health authorities are warning that this is the time of year when case numbers of COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) will probably rise.

“Respiratory virus season is here,” said Kathryn J. Robison, Department of Medicine vice chair at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and president of Penn Medicine Princeton Medicine Physicians. Fortunately, however, there have so far been relatively few predictions, like the ones heard in recent years, of an incipient tripledemic.

“Penn Medicine Princeton Health has seen a slight increase in patients with COVID-19,” Robison added. “Overall in the community there have been no significant cases of influenza or RSV, however there is influenza currently in various regions throughout the United States, so we expect to see more cases of influenza in our community during the holiday season.”

In its most recent report of about 10 days ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported moderate overall respiratory illness activity in New Jersey, with flu and RSV increasing and COVID-19 levels stable, based on visits to emergency departments. Hospitalization levels for respiratory illness in Mercer County have been low.

Robison went on to emphasize the importance of vaccinations as “the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the serious complications of COVID-19 and influenza.” She noted that for the RSV vaccination, the CDC recommends that each person talk to their doctor before getting it.

“By getting vaccinated, you can enable our health care teams to care for more patients with infectious diseases as well as other acute and chronic problems,” said Robison.

Internist and Princeton Board of Health Chair George DiFerdinando agreed, noting that flu season continues through February and in some years into March. “There’s still time to get the flu vaccine and for it to have impact,” he said. He recommended the vaccines.gov website for finding a pharmacy or other health care provider locally to administer the shots.

DiFerdinando said that the vaccinations do not guarantee you won’t get the virus, but they are likely to protect you from severe cases leading to hospitalization or death, and he strongly urged the vaccinations. He cited low uptake on the national level of the most recent COVID-19 shot, and he emphasized, “It’s available. It’s a good shot. It saves lives,” especially for those who are over 65 or immunocompromised.

The Princeton Health Department, in partnership with Wegmans Pharmacy and Princeton Senior Resource Center, is hosting two more walk-in flu vaccine clinics for those age 3 and older. One is on November 28 in the East Conference Room at Monument Hall on Monument Drive from 3 to 5 p.m. and the other is on December 5 in the Community Room at Witherspoon Hall at 400 Witherspoon Street from 1 to 3 p.m. Those who have insurance should bring insurance and prescription cards.

Uninsured Princeton residents will receive the vaccine for free.

DiFerdinando also noted that as of November 20 up to eight free at-home COVID tests, rapidly delivered through the mail, are available at covidtests.gov. The Princeton Health Department also continues to offer free COVID-19 test kits in its office in Monument Hall.