By Dr. Eric Chow
Chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology
Public Health – Seattle & King County

I’m a doctor with Public Health – Seattle & King County. But, first and foremost, I’m a dad to my two-year-old son, Max.

He’s at such a fun age and will be the center of attention over the holidays – he’s dressing as a Pokemon for Halloween, and I’m excited to see him play with his cousins and grandma when we return to my hometown in California. I don’t want to miss out on any of it, so I’m taking precautions to avoid respiratory illnesses this winter. I’m also taking steps to help protect Max from respiratory illnesses like flu and whooping cough, which can be really serious for children and babies.

We both got our updated flu and COVID-19 shots this October and I made sure he was up to date with his other childhood vaccines. Everyone aged six months and older should get the updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines this fall. That’s true even if you’ve had vaccines, boosters, or infections in the past. The updated vaccines are available at most pharmacies and doctor’s offices.

This year, we’ve seen a big increase in whooping cough cases, particularly in south King County. Whooping cough can be especially dangerous for babies and young children. I feel reassured that Max got all the vaccines he is eligible for, including DTaP to protect against whooping cough. If you have young kids, or if you’re pregnant, check in with your doctor to make sure you’re all up to date on your vaccines for whooping cough and other respiratory illnesses.

In addition to making sure Max and I are up to date on vaccines, I’m still using our face masks when we’re in crowded indoor settings, like the mall or airport. Face masks don’t just protect against COVID-19 – they also help protect against the flu, RSV, and the common cold. Not all facemasks are equal – they need to be high-quality, like an N-95 or KN-94, and they need to fit tightly on the face. Max isn’t always great about wearing one, so he really benefits from others taking precautions to prevent the spread of infections.

I’m looking forward to lots of family gatherings in the coming months. When big groups of people gather indoors, it can increase the spread of viruses in the air. So, we’re doing our best to hold events outdoors whenever possible (with the kids, it’s cleaner, too!). When we need to gather indoors, we’re opening windows and using air purifiers. Air purifiers can remove viruses from the air to help reduce the risk of spread.

I know many of us are tired of thinking about COVID, flu and other respiratory illnesses. Unfortunately, it’s likely going to be a part of our lives for a long time. The good news is that we have a host of tools to help protect us. Thanks to precautions like vaccines and masks, I’m going to be focused on having fun with my family this winter rather than worried about being home sick or getting others I care about sick.  

To find a vaccination site near you – including free options if you don’t have insurance – visit:

kingcounty.gov/findaclinic

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