As the days get shorter and temperatures cool, respiratory viruses such as flu, COVID-19 and RSV become more common. One of the best ways to protect yourself, your family and our community is to stay up to date on recommended seasonal vaccines.

Vaccines are a safe, effective tool that help reduce your risk of severe illness, hospitalizations and complications from respiratory diseases. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of annual vaccinations and where you can receive seasonal vaccines this fall. 

 

Why Are Seasonal Vaccines Important? 

Respiratory viruses circulate every year, but the timing and severity of each season can vary. While many people recover from illnesses like influenza (flu), COVID-19 or RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) without complications, these infections can become serious health concerns. This is especially true for older adults, infants, pregnant people and those with certain chronic health conditions. 

Vaccinations help your immune system recognize and fight viruses more effectively. In addition to protecting you, vaccinations can help reduce the spread of illness within your household, school, workplace and broader community. 

 

Why Is the Flu Vaccine Recommended Every Year? 

Influenza, or the flu virus, changes over time, so an annual flu vaccine is generally recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older. We recommend getting vaccinated each fall, before flu activity increases, to help prevent the spread of the virus. 

Flu symptoms can include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches and fatigue, all of which can significantly impact your daily life. If you have questions about the timing of the vaccine or your eligibility, your health care provider can help determine which vaccines are recommended for you. 

 

What About COVID-19 and RSV Vaccines? 

The flu vaccine isn’t the only vaccine that can help protect against respiratory illness. COVID-19 and RSV continue to infect people each year, especially during respiratory virus season, which begins in the fall and typically peaks during the winter months. 

COVID-19 continues to circulate year-round, with activity often increasing during respiratory virus season. Staying up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccines can help protect against current variants and can reduce your risk of severe illness and hospitalization. 

People who have COVID-19 can have a wide range of symptoms. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. They can include fever, chills, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, body aches, headaches, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, congestion, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. 

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is also a common respiratory virus that can cause serious illness in infants, older adults and people with certain underlying health conditions. RSV vaccines are recommended for eligible older adults, and preventive immunizations are available to help protect infants during their first RSV season. People with RSV usually develop symptoms within four to six days, which can include a runny nose, decreased appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever and wheezing. 

Talk with your health care provider about whether COVID-19 and RSV protection are recommended for you or your family.

 

How Can I Get Vaccinated? 

GHC-SCW offers a variety of options for members to access seasonal vaccines, including flu, COVID-19 and RSV immunizations. Members can receive recommended vaccines through their primary care clinic and also have access to testing and treatment options if they become ill. Because vaccine recommendations can vary based on age, health conditions and risk factors, talk with your GHC-SCW care team about which vaccines are right for you and when to receive them. 

For the latest information on vaccine availability, testing and treatment options, visit GHC-SCW’s Vaccine, Treatment and Testing Options for COVID-19, Flu and RSV webpage. 

 

Protect Yourself and Your Community 

Getting vaccinated is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent serious illness during respiratory virus season. Combined with other healthy habits, such as staying home when you’re sick, washing your hands and covering coughs and sneezes, vaccines help keep our communities healthier all season long. 

Talk with your GHC-SCW care team about which seasonal vaccines are recommended for you and your family. 

 

Additional Sources

• Immunizations: Influenza Vaccine Data (Wisconsin Department of Health Services)  

• Respiratory Illness Dashboard (Public Health Madison & Dane County)  

• Immunizations (Public Health Madison & Dane County)  

• Seasonal Flu Vaccine Basics (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 

GHC-SCW is excited to offer Regulating Together™, a new service within our autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Social Emotional Program that is designed to help children diagnosed with autism build emotional regulation skills and strengthen coping strategies. 

Developed by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Regulating Together is a group intervention that helps children and teens experiencing emotion dysregulation build skills for managing strong emotions. GHC-SCW is a certified Regulating Together provider. This program is intended for children who would benefit from a more intensive, skills-focused approach to building emotional regulation strategies. The program combines proven mental health strategies and evidence-based practices from autism care to help children better understand, manage and respond to their emotions in everyday situations. 

A key part of the program is caregiver involvement. Parents and caregivers participate alongside their child to learn practical tools and strategies that can be used at home, supporting continued growth and success beyond each session. 

Regulating Together is provided in the participant’s home and includes two 90-minute sessions each week. Programming length typically ranges from 5 to 10 weeks depending on the needs of the child. A group option will also be available in the future.  

Who Can Participate? 

Children must meet the following requirements to participate in Regulating Together: 

• Be between the ages of 8 and 16 

• Have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) 

• Currently be working with a behavioral health therapist or prescriber 

How Can I Enroll?  

A referral is required to participate in Regulating Together. If you are interested in learning whether this program may be a good fit for your child, please talk with your child’s Primary Care Provider or behavioral health prescriber. 

For questions or more information, please contact our Autism Services team at (608) 441-3290. 

This program accepts GHC-SCW, Quartz and the Alliance Commercial Insurance Plans. 

Pathways to Recovery provides respectful, personalized outpatient care for adults 18 and older seeking support with alcohol, opioids or other substances. Wherever you are on your journey, our team will work with you to create a care plan that supports your needs and goals.

Through this program, patients can expect care that is tailored to their needs and goals. Individualized approaches can include evaluations for providers to better understand your needs, individual and group counseling, medications that can support recovery, practical harm reduction education, withdrawal management and strong relationships with your care team, specialists and community resources whenever you need them.

The most important part of the recovery process is taking the first step.

Call the GHC-SCW Pathways to Recovery team directly at (608) 441-3320 to learn more about the program. In that first call, a provider will ask questions to learn more about your needs and help schedule your first appointment; no referral from a Primary Care Provider is needed.

At the first appointment, patients can expect to meet with their care team and go through an assessment, health review and treatment recommendations. Virtual or in-person visits are available, depending on the patient’s comfort level.

You are not alone in this process and have a team to support you every step of the way. Your care team may include addiction medicine physicians, licensed substance use counselors, registered nurses, clinical support staff and consulting behavioral health specialists, depending on what type of support you need.

“We know that asking for help can be one of the hardest steps, but recovery is possible with the right support. Pathways to Recovery was created to make treatment more accessible and to ensure that every person who comes through our doors is met with compassion, respect and hope, as well as a team dedicated to helping them succeed,” said Emily Stout, LCSW, SCAC, therapist in the Pathways Program.

The Pathways to Recovery Program provides only outpatient care. If you need a higher level of treatment, our team can help connect you with appropriate services outside of GHC-SCW.

This program is located at the GHC-SCW Capitol Clinic where onsite lab and pharmacy services are available. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Take the first step to recovery today by calling the Pathways Program team at (608) 441-3320.

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