FLORENCE, Ky. – The world may be a few years removed from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but health officials say people should still try to keep themselves and their family safe this holiday season.

The Northern Kentucky Health Department is pushing the importance of both COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Its message is simple, despite being one many have heard over the last few years: get vaccinated. 

While no longer a public health emergency, COVID-19 is here to stay, said public information officer Skip Tate.

During the holidays, people tend to gather inside, hug, shake hands and inevitably spread germs.

“Fortunately, right now, the numbers are down; they’re not as high as they have been in the past,” Tate said.

The best way to prevent getting sick is getting vaccinated, Tate said, but it’s been increasingly challenging to spread that message.

“Vaccines, over the past few years, have gotten a bad rap," Tate said. "And I think it's undeserved. They are extremely effective and extremely safe."

Cleaning a phone or a TV remote may not be things people think about, but they could save a family member from getting sick. If that family member is a part of a vulnerable population, such as the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions, then it’s even more important, Tate added. 

As tough as it may be, Tate said anyone feeling sick should stay home to keep their family safe. It’s equally important to get vaccinated for RSV, especially infants and people older than 65, as parts of the state have seen an increase in cases.