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Stay up to date on vaccines and take everyday steps to avoid getting and spreading viruses. Kitsap Public Health is offering free vaccination clinics for children on Jan. 22 and 23.
KITSAP COUNTY, WA — The winter holidays brought a surge of seasonal viruses to our region.
Influenza (flu) activity is very high in Kitsap County and throughout Washington. Emergency department visits for flu and positive flu tests have reached higher levels than during the 2023-2024 flu season.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is also spreading widely, though rates have declined over the past two weeks. RSV — which can cause serious illness in young children and babies — is currently the most frequently detected respiratory virus among pediatric (child) patients in our region.
COVID-19 continues to spread at low levels in Kitsap County. Cases of pertussis (whooping cough) are also being reported.
Protect yourself and people around you
Respiratory viruses (viruses that affect people's lungs and breathing) most often spread when people cough or sneeze. You can also get sick by touching objects (like door handles) that have virus on them and then touching your face.
You can protect yourself and people around you by staying up to date on vaccines and taking everyday steps to avoid getting and spreading viruses:
Stay home as much as you can when you are sick
Wash your hands frequently
Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow
Clean and disinfect surfaces you touch frequently
Improve airflow in your home or workplace
Who is most at risk?
While respiratory viruses such as colds and flu often cause mild illness, they can make people very sick. Older adults, young children, people who are pregnant, and people with certain health conditions are at higher risk for severe illness.
Take extra precautions if you spend time around people who are at higher risk from respiratory illnesses. If someone in your household is at higher risk for severe illness, have a plan for getting them treated quickly if they get sick.
It's not too late to get vaccinated
You can still get protection from respiratory viruses this winter by getting vaccinated. Vaccines can help prevent you from getting sick and reduce your chances of becoming severely ill if you do get sick.
A yearly flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6-months and older. Flu vaccines are updated each year to provide protection against the flu viruses that are most likely to be spreading.
An updated COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone 6-months and older. New 2024-2025 vaccines have been approved to provide better protection against the most recent variants of the COVID-19 virus.
*Tip: It's safe to get flu and COVID-19 vaccines during the same visit.
RSV vaccines are recommended for older adults and people who are pregnant. Vaccination is recommended between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to protect babies after they are born. Talk to a healthcare provider about whether RSV vaccination is recommended for you.
Vaccines are also available to prevent whooping cough, a respiratory illness caused by bacteria.
Vaccination is free in Washington for children 18 and younger. Most insurance plans, including Apple Health, cover the cost of vaccines for adults. Resources are available for adults who need help paying for vaccination. To learn more, call 360-728-2007 or email immunizations@kitsappublichealth.org
Free vaccine clinics for children
Kitsap Public Health is offering free immunization clinics for children 18 and younger on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23 in Bremerton. Our clinic provides flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, and routine childhood immunizations.
To learn more, click the event listings below or go to kitsappublichealth.org/clinic
For more information, call 360-728-2007 or email immunizations@kitsappublichealth.org.
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