RSV vaccine: one and done
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a virus that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. It can be caught by people of any age, presenting with cold-like symptoms. But getting RSV can be dangerous for very young children and seniors.
The RSV vaccine is recommended for anyone 75 years and older, and people ages 50-74 who have health conditions that put them at increased risk of severe RSV disease. At Vashon Pharmacy, some folks are requesting the RSV vaccine who may already have received it. The current recommendation is to get the RSV vaccine once – one and done. If you’re unsure whether you’ve already received it, you can review your immunization history at MyirMobile.com, or ask your doctor or pharmacist.
RSV disease may be dangerous for infants and young children. Two or three out of every 100 infants who get RSV may require a hospital stay where they can receive symptom relief such as suctioning to remove mucus, oxygen to help with breathing, or intravenous hydration. Children born prematurely, with low birth weight, who were 12 weeks or younger at the start of the fall/winter respiratory virus season, or who have lung disease, heart disease, or lowered immunity are at particular risk. Pregnant people normally get an RSV vaccination to protect their baby if their third trimester of
pregnancy occurs during fall or winter. Babies born during fall or winter may also receive an RSV vaccine containing monoclonal antibodies to protect them. Parents with concerns should ask their doctor.
No more one-eyes: How to check your car’s headlights
Now that the Big Dark is returning, you may have noticed more cars with headlights and other exterior lights gone dark. Your car’s exterior lights are the primary way we communicate with other drivers, so it’s important to maintain them. Here’s how to check your car’s exterior lights.
Regular and high beam headlights: with your car in park, and the parking brake engaged, turn on your car’s headlights. Then step out of the car to check. Check tail lights and license plate lights too. (Check the height and alignment of your headlights with this tip from MotorWeek: tinyurl.com/MWalignlights)
Turn signals and hazard lights: make sure that both front and rear, left and right turn signals are blinking when you turn on the signal lights or press the triangular hazard lights button on your dashboard. Check mirror-mounted lights too, if your car has them.
Backup lights: get help from a friend who’s standing well back, to observe the backup lights while you have the car in reverse gear.
Brake lights: ask for help from a friend, or back up near to a wall, then depress the brake pedal to check that both brake lights are working.
Plastic light covers may get dull and yellowed from sun, age, and road grit, but they can be polished with a multi-step polish from the auto parts store.
Local health resource: Vashon’s Care Closet
On Vashon, our population is somewhat older than the county at large. Many people also like to be active outdoors. As a result, injuries and illnesses have created a steady demand for access to medical equipment such as crutches, walkers, shower chairs, and other medical supplies. For many years, the nonprofit Vashon Care Network has filled that need with a collection of donated, lightly used equipment. Volunteers help manage donations of equipment and use donated funds to purchase consumable supplies. Their efforts keep their Care Closet serving the community. For many, this collection of free medical supplies has solved the problems of urgent need, high cost, and the difficulty of having to go off-island.
The collection has moved from one donated space to another over the years, from Vashon Island Fire & Rescue, to Island Funeral Service, then to Vashon Lutheran Church, where two purpose-built sheds now house the Care Closet. This varied and ever-growing supply includes gait belts, commodes, shower chairs, crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, knee scooters, incontinence supplies, hospital beds, and more (see the lists on the website).
Borrow or donate items using the forms at vashoncarenetwork.org, or call them at 206-473-8715 Monday through Friday. Please don’t drop off donations before calling or filling out the form. Some items may already be too plentiful, so donating more would put a burden on the Care Closet volunteers.
Get more information and sign up for VashonBePrepared newsletters and alerts at vashonbeprepared.org.
