No single step keeps you from getting sick this fall and winter, but several small ones stacked together make a real difference. Public health professionals call this layered protection, and it is the best way for families across our 11 towns to stay healthy through the respiratory illness season.
The CDC expects this season, which runs October through May, to look much like last year's. Its 2026-27 outlook projects combined hospitalizations from COVID-19, flu, and RSV to land within about 20 percent of 2025-26 levels. Flu is expected to be moderate, and COVID-19 and RSV typically peak in late December or early January. Last year's RSV peak came as late as February, so it pays to stay prepared well into the new year.
Think of each layer as a slice of Swiss cheese: every one has gaps, but stacked together, very little gets through. Here is what belongs in your stack.
Layer I: Vaccines for Flu, COVID-19, and RSV
Vaccination is the foundation. It will not always prevent an infection, but it greatly reduces your risk of ending up in the hospital.
Flu. The Connecticut Department of Public Health strongly recommends an annual flu shot for everyone six months and older. Children 8 and under who have never been vaccinated or whose vaccination history is unclear need two doses given at least 4 weeks apart. Adults 65 and older should ask for a high-dose or adjuvanted vaccine.
COVID-19. Updated vaccines are available for the 2026-27 season. Protection matters most for adults 65 and older, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and young children. Recommendations differ somewhat between health organizations this year, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what is right for you and your family.
RSV. This one is targeted. Adults 75 and older should get a single lifetime dose of the RSV vaccine, as should adults 50 to 74 with health conditions that increase their risk. Pregnant women can be vaccinated at 32 to 36 weeks, and infants under 8 months should be protected either by that maternal vaccine or by a long-acting antibody given to the baby.
Most people can get their flu and COVID-19 shots at the same visit, usually in different arms. Eligible adults can get the RSV vaccine at the same appointment, too. Earlier is better, since protection takes about two weeks to build, and the winter peak is only a few months away.
Layer II: Everyday Habits that Stop the Spread
These habits cost almost nothing and work against every respiratory virus, not just one.
- Stay home when you are sick. Skip work, school, and gatherings until you have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine and your symptoms are clearly improving.
- Wash your hands. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after being in public places. Hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol works when a sink is not available.
- Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue or your elbow, not your hands.
- Bring in fresh air. Open windows when the weather allows, run bathroom and kitchen fans, and consider a higher-efficiency furnace filter or portable air cleaner for shared rooms.
- Clean high-touch surfaces. Doorknobs, phones, and counters are worth a regular wipe-down when someone in the household is ill.
Gatherings are a good example of layers working together. A holiday dinner with a vaccinated family, open windows, and a firm rule that anyone with symptoms stays home is far safer than any one of those measures alone.
Layer III: Masks, Testing, and Early Treatment
These tools matter most when risk is higher, whether because of your own health or the people around you.
Masks. A well-fitting mask, such as an N95 or KN95, is a smart choice in crowded indoor spaces, on public transit, in waiting rooms, and when caring for someone who is sick. Many people also mask when visiting older relatives or newborns during peak weeks.
Testing. If you have symptoms, test. A home COVID-19 test is quick, and knowing the result helps you decide whether to stay home and whether to call your doctor. If a first test is negative but you still feel sick, repeat it in a day or two.
Early treatment. Antiviral medicines for flu and COVID-19 work best when started soon after symptoms begin, and they are most important for adults 65 and older, people with chronic conditions, and anyone with a weakened immune system. Do not wait to see if you get worse. Call your provider at the first sign of illness and ask whether treatment is right for you.
Know the warning signs. Seek care right away for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, bluish lips, or a fever that will not come down. For infants, watch for poor feeding, fewer wet diapers, or unusual sleepiness.
Where to Find Protection
Start with one step: book your flu shot. Your doctor's office, local pharmacies, and community clinics all offer it. The state's 2026-27 clinic list shows dates, homebound services, and which vaccines each site carries. You can also search vaccinefinder.org for nearby pharmacies.
Cost should not stand in the way. Most insurance plans cover the flu shot, and Connecticut Vaccines for Adults provides vaccines for uninsured and underinsured adults at participating sites. Call ahead about eligibility and whether you need an appointment.
Then add a layer or two: set a household rule that sick people stay home, keep a few home COVID-19 tests on a shelf, and talk with your provider now about early treatment if you or a loved one is at higher risk. Protecting yourself also protects the neighbors who cannot easily protect themselves, including infants, older adults, and people with chronic illnesses.