UW doctor urges vaccination, staying home if sick this holiday season

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Doctors warn hospitals and urgent cares are "filled to the gills" ahead of the holidays.

We spoke with UW Health Dr. James Conway about best practices so you can stay well this year. 

Dr. Conway tells us staying up to date on vaccinations is critical, especially if you fall into a high risk category.

He also suggests only gathering in vaccinated groups this season. Conway says about 16% of people in Wisconsin have gotten a bivalent vaccine booster so far. 

He adds that the influenza vaccine this year is nearly a perfect match for the "particularly bad" strain.

"People haven't been exposed to these things now for a couple of years, and the vaccination rates are pretty low," Dr. Conway said. "There's a lot of susceptibility to RSV and influenza out there in the general population and they're traveling and they're going to see highly vulnerable people."

Dr. Conway adds that the best gift this holiday season is to stay home if you're sick and celebrate with loved ones when you feel better.