As the flu and cold season approaches, the Berrien County Health Department wants to encourage the community to get its yearly vaccines.

Health Department health officer Guy Miller tells us that as we get into what they call respiratory viral season, it’s beneficial to get your COVID-19 and flu shots to help reduce the risk of spreading illnesses.

“We know as temperatures get colder people head indoors,” Miller says. “With the holidays coming up and people getting together, your risk for a respiratory infectious disease could increase. You never know who’s carrying a disease or if they get the sniffles.”

Miller says getting these immunization shots will help protect yourself and your loved ones from getting sick and reduce hospitalization time for seniors.

“We know that vaccines are effective at reducing your hospital stay and reducing the duration of your illness,” Miller says. “If it does require hospitalization, what we’ve seen in the data is that it will be a shorter stay if you have received the immunization versus if you’ve never received one.”

The BCHD recommends everyone 5 and older should get a COVID-19 booster shot, while those 6 months and older should get this season’s flu vaccine.

The health department does offer regular flu shots for children, adults, and seniors. You can call the Benton Harbor office during business hours at 269-926-7121 to make your next appointment.