Boulder County health officials are warning residents about taking part in “higher-risk” activities like traveling, congregating in larger groups and staying indoors more often for longer periods of time during the holidays.
As they celebrate, residents will face greater exposure to the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19 and the flu, according to a Boulder County Public Health news release. Vaccines can offer the best protection amidst all the activity, said Executive Director Camille Rodriguez.
“When celebrating and spending time with our friends, and communities over the holidays, it is important to keep each other safe and healthy. Fortunately, we have life saving vaccines available that provide a high level of protection against COVID-19,” Rodriguez said. “Getting vaccinated, including a booster and a flu shot, is the best way to keep others safe, limit the spread of COVID-19 and influenza, reduce serious illnesses and hospitalizations and ease the burden on our already strained hospitals.”
Anyone over the age of 18 who is at least six months out from receiving their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or at least two months since receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, should get a booster dose of the vaccine, according to the news release.
BCPH also recommends that holiday hosts have conversations with all guests about their vaccination status and how to best protect high-risk individuals, including older adults, immunocompromised individuals and those who are unvaccinated, the new release states.
“When planning your celebrations with high risk individuals, consider a smaller, shorter event and make sure everyone is symptom-free. Also talk to your guests about getting tests before they attend and agreeing to wear a mask while they are inside your home. You can also rescue risk by increasing ventilation (such as opening windows) and running a HEPA air filter,” Chris Campbell, BCPH Emergency Management Coordinator, said in the news release.
The news release also offers several quick tips for staying safe for the holidays.
