The holiday season brings joy, meaningful time with family and friends, and increased travel—yet it also creates ideal conditions for illnesses to spread through communities and households. Taking proactive steps to update your vaccinations now, before the rush of holiday preparations takes over, can help protect not only you but also your loved ones during this busy and often stressful time of year.

Why Should You Get Vaccinated Before Holiday Gatherings?

Holiday celebrations often bring together people of all ages, including older adults and young children who may be more vulnerable to serious illness. A single case can spread rapidly through a gathering.
When you gather indoors for extended periods, viruses can spread more easily through close contact and shared spaces like kitchens and living rooms. Getting your vaccines updated in the weeks before these gatherings gives your body time to build immunity, reducing your risk of contracting an illness or inadvertently passing one on to others who may be at higher risk.

Which Vaccines Do Adults Need Before the Holiday Season?

Several key vaccines can help protect you during the fall and winter months when indoor gatherings become more frequent:

• Annual influenza (flu) vaccine: Recommended for all adults each year.
• COVID-19 vaccine or updated booster: Recommended for adults based on age, health status, and prior vaccination history.

What Other Boosters Should You Consider?

Beyond flu and COVID-19, other vaccines play an important role—especially during seasons when indoor gatherings are more common:

• Tdap or Td booster: Protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Recommended every 10 years for all adults and particularly important if you’ll be around infants or elderly relatives.
• RSV vaccine: Recommended for adults 50 and older, especially those at higher risk of severe disease. Helps prevent serious respiratory illness.
• Shingles vaccine (Shingrix): Recommended for adults 50 and older to prevent shingles and long-term nerve pain associated with the condition.

How Far in Advance Should You Get Vaccinated?

Most vaccines take about two weeks to provide full protection. Getting vaccinated in early November allows your immune system adequate time to respond before major holiday gatherings in late November and December.

Can You Get Multiple Vaccines at Once?

Many adults can safely receive multiple vaccines during the same visit. This makes it convenient to update all necessary immunizations at once rather than scheduling multiple appointments. Your pharmacist or healthcare provider can review your vaccination history and current health status to create a personalized plan, taking into account any prior reactions or health conditions that might affect scheduling.

Stay Healthy This Holiday Season with a Kent Island Pharmacist at Chesapeake Rx

Don’t wait until the holiday rush to think about your health. Vaccination planning is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure a safe and enjoyable season. Visit our Kent Island pharmacist at Chesapeake Rx in Stevensville, MD, for walk-in vaccine services—no appointment necessary. Call us at 443-249-3134 or contact us online for questions. Take the first step toward a healthy holiday season today!