County urges residents to vaccinate against flu, COVID-19 and RSV

San Bernardino County Department of Public Health urged residents to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza, COVID‑19 and respiratory syncytial virus; the county said the respiratory virus season runs Nov. 1 through April 30 and communities are already seeing increased influenza activity.

The county said vaccination is the most effective way to prevent serious illness, hospitalizations and deaths from these viruses. Residents can get vaccinated at county health centers or use MyTurn.cdph.ca.gov to find additional clinics and book an appointment.

“Simple steps, such as getting vaccinated and testing when symptoms appear, keep our community healthy,” said Dr. Sharon Wang, San Bernardino County health officer.

The California Department of Public Health released its 2026–27 vaccination recommendations; under California law (Assembly Bill 144), the county said, health insurance plans; including Medi‑Cal managed care and private plans; must cover immunizations recommended by CDPH, and California pharmacists may administer CDPH‑recommended immunizations to patients 3 years and older without a physician’s prescription.

CDPH’s recommendations the county summarized for 2026–27 include: all children 6 months and older should receive the flu vaccine; children ages 6–23 months are eligible for the COVID‑19 vaccine and those ages 2–18 with risk factors or who have never been vaccinated should also be vaccinated; children younger than 8 months are recommended to receive the RSV vaccine and children ages 8–9 months with certain health conditions may qualify.

The county said pregnant people planning a pregnancy, currently pregnant or postpartum should receive COVID‑19 and flu vaccines; pregnant people between 32 and 36 weeks’ gestation are also eligible for the RSV vaccine to help protect newborns. Adults and health care workers: the county said everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine; adults 65 and older and younger adults with underlying conditions are encouraged to stay current with COVID‑19 vaccines; RSV vaccination is recommended for adults 75 and older and for adults 50–74 with certain health conditions; COVID‑19 and flu immunizations are recommended for all health care workers and people who live with or care for higher‑risk individuals.

Signs and symptoms of COVID‑19, flu and RSV can overlap; the county listed fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, sore throat, headache and runny nose. The county said COVID‑19 may sometimes include loss of taste or smell, flu may sometimes include vomiting and diarrhea in children, and RSV can cause wheezing and, in severe cases, bronchiolitis or pneumonia in infants, young children and older adults.

Public Health recommends residents stay up to date on vaccines as CDPH recommends and get tested for COVID‑19 and flu at the first sign of symptoms so treatment can begin if needed. The county also recommends wearing a mask in crowded spaces, increasing indoor ventilation, staying away from others when sick, washing hands often and covering coughs and sneezes. Antiviral medications may reduce severity when taken early; the county said certain groups are at higher risk for severe illness, including adults 65 and older, children under 5 (especially under 2), pregnant and recently pregnant people, people with chronic health conditions, people with weakened immune systems and residents of long‑term care facilities.  

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