Healthy for the holidays

This holiday season, give yourself and your loved ones the gift of health by staying protected from both the flu and COVID-19. Getting your flu and COVID-19 vaccines not only helps protect you, but also reduces the risk of spreading these viruses to friends, family, and others in your community.

It’s best to get vaccinated at least two weeks before holiday gatherings or travel so your body has time to build immunity. Both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, providing crucial protection to keep you healthy through the season.

Along with vaccination, these simple steps can help prevent illness:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your upper sleeve and try to avoid touching your face.

• Avoid sharing drinking cups, straws, and utensils.

• Stay home if you are showing symptoms of illness.

• Get plenty of rest, eat nutritious meals, and drink water.

• Disinfect surfaces you touch often, like doorknobs, phone screens, and faucet handles.

Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the Oneida County Health Department. No appointment needed. Walk in Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s not too late to get your seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

For details and community clinic updates, check the Oneida County Facebook page, Instagram @oneidacountyhealthdept, website (www.oneidacountypublichealth.org), or call 715-369-6111.