Follow these five simple steps to protect against winter viruses:

1. Get vaccinated. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are the best defense against serious illness and death. You can get both at the same time. Visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call 1-833-422-4255 to find and schedule a vaccine appointment. 

2. Stay home if you're sick. Avoid close contact with others to protect them and take time to recover. This is especially important for respiratory viruses like the flu, RSV and COVID-19, which can lead to more severe illness. Remember to test for COVID-19 and contact your doctor immediately if you test positive to discuss treatment options. Free, confidential testing is available statewide. 

3. Wear a mask. There is currently no vaccine for RSV and wearing a mask can significantly slow the spread and protect babies and young children who do not have immunity yet and are too young to wear a mask themselves. Masking in indoor public places is a good way to limit the spread of viruses like COVID-19, flu and RSV.

4. Wash your hands. Frequent handwashing, with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, is an easy way to prevent getting sick and spreading germs.

5. Cover your cough or sneeze. Cough or sneeze into your elbow, your arm or a disposable tissue. Make sure to wash your hands or sanitize and dispose of your tissue after.

Updated Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ

Although most people know about updated COVID-19 vaccines (aka updated boosters), many still don't have all of the facts.

What is the updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine? Updated vaccines offer the strongest protection to date. They are bivalent, meaning they target both the original strain and the recently circulating Omicron variants. Vaccine protection lasts several months.

Who is eligible? Everyone aged 6 months and up who has completed the second dose of their primary series. 

When can I get it? At least 2 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine dose.

What if I recently got COVID-19? You can get boosted when you have no more symptoms, or wait 3-6 months as prior infection can offer some limited immunity. 

Where can I find it? Check with your local pharmacy or medical care provider, visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call (833) 422-4255.

Booster Outreach, Messaging and Strategy

Booster interest is high but uptake is low. Although 60% of surveyed Californians say they're likely to get the updated booster, only 21% report receiving it. 

Why aren't Californians getting the new booster? The most common reason (given by 30% of interested-but-still-unboosted survey respondents) is that they're just too busy for it to be a priority. 

How do we make boosters relevant and compelling? 

1. Adopt winter surge messaging. Most people remember the holiday surge last year. Combining this with the "tridemic" of RSV, flu and COVID-19 can create a sense of urgency to get vaccinated before family gatherings with older and more vulnerable loved ones. Consider using these talking points: "I know it may feel like COVID is a thing of the past but we expect to see a spike in infections this holiday season as family and friends gather indoors to celebrate. Vaccinating now will help lower your risk of family breakouts.” 

2. Share anecdotes and personal stories about how important getting the booster or vaccine has been for you.

3. Make dual vaccination appointments. Tell people they can get both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same place at the same time.

There is some public confusion about COVID-19 treatments. Enhanced messaging to create awareness around treatment availability and who is eligible is needed. 

• COVID-19 treatments are medications in the form of pills, shots, or fluids. 

• Treatments are safe and highly effective. The Paxlovid pill can reduce the risk of death or hospitalization from COVID-19 by up to 88%. Early evidence also suggests treatment may decrease the risk of developing long COVID. 

• You must have COVID-19 symptoms and have a positive COVID-19 test result to receive treatment. 

• COVID-19 treatments are free and you don’t need to have insurance or be a US citizen.  

• People 50+, the unvaccinated and children over 12 at higher risk of severe illness, all qualify for treatment. 

• Treatments must be taken within 5-7 days of the start of symptoms. 

• If you test positive, contact your health provider. If you don't have one or cannot connect with one within 24 hours, visit a Test to Treat location. If you don't have insurance, visit an OptumServe location. You can also access a free telehealth provider by visiting www.sesamecare.com/covidca or call (833) 686-5051. 

To learn more about treatments and where to find them, talk to your health care provider, call the statewide COVID-19 hotline (833-422-4255) or go to covid19.ca.gov/treatment. Don't delay - If you have symptoms, get tested right away. Treatments work best when started right after symptoms begin.

Concerns about the "lack of clinical testing" of boosters is a common sticking point for the vaccine hesitant. Be on the lookout for these false narratives. If found, please report them to rumors@cdph.ca.gov. 

Myth #1: Bivalent vaccines do not have enough clinical data for FDA approval

Facts: The U.S Food & Drug Administration (FDA) reassures the public that “a great deal of care has been taken by the FDA to ensure that these bivalent COVID-19 vaccines meet our rigorous safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality standards for emergency use authorization.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emphasizes the importance of getting a booster dose: “A single booster dose with an updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine provides broad protection against COVID-19 and is expected to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the currently circulating Omicron variant.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “COVID-19 vaccines were developed using science that has been around for decades” and “COVID-19 vaccines are monitored by the most intense safety monitoring efforts in U.S. history.”

Myth #2: FDA, CDC approve updated bivalent boosters for children 5-11 without clinical data

Facts: Regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Children and Teens, CDC states that “before authorizing or approving COVID-19 vaccines, scientists conducted clinical trials with thousands of children and teens to establish their safety and effectiveness.” The American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) released a statement affirming their support of COVID-19 booster doses for children: “Leaders of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) signed off on the updated boosters for children today. The AAP supports administration of all COVID vaccine primary series and booster doses recommended by the CDC.”

• Use these resources to help keep families and communities better protected this winter. More videos, fact sheets and social media messaging for winter virus prevention can be found here.

• Share this collection of social media graphics and captions to increase awareness about COVID-19 treatment options.

• Check out this toolkit to better inform yourself and your community of the benefits of updated boosters. This folder contains communications assets specifically targeting older Californians.