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As families prepare for holiday celebrations, health officials are once again urging older adults to protect themselves against COVID-19. Dr. Juanita Mora, respiratory specialist, emphasized that adults 65 and older remain at the highest risk for severe illness.
According to Dr. Mora, age-related weakening of the immune system significantly increases the likelihood of complications. “People greater than 65 years of age are also gonna be at higher risk for chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, asthma, COPD, or emphysema,” she said. She noted that between September 2024 and October 2025, the U.S. recorded 44,000 COVID-19 deaths, with two-thirds occurring in people over 65.
With holiday gatherings approaching, Dr. Mora encouraged families to take simple steps to reduce risk. Her number one tip is ensuring everyone six months and older is vaccinated. She also recommended improving ventilation with air purifiers, masking around vulnerable individuals if sick, and using COVID-19 test kits when symptoms appear. “Test kits are still available, and they work well so that you can identify if you are positive for the virus and continue to protect everyone at home.”
For those in need of vaccine guidance, Dr. Mora said the most reliable source remains a patient’s personal doctor. “I always tell patients number one place talk to your doctor he’s your trusted messenger of science and vaccination so having that beautiful conversation of any doubts or anything with your doctor is gonna be important,” she said. “There are also trustworthy websites, such as CVEEP.org, which is the Champions for Vaccine Education Equity and Progress, that lists all the information on the COVID-19 vaccine. People can also go to the websites for their local Department of Public Health, as well as to the CDC website.”
Dr. Mora also warned that repeated COVID-19 infections raise the risk of long COVID-19, which can cause long-term complications involving the heart, lungs, and brain—including increased risks of stroke and even Alzheimer’s has been tied to long COVID-19 complications. “We have to remember that this is an inflammatory virus so as ittravels to the different organs, it can cause different complications.” She stressed it’s important for people to continue protecting the population by getting vaccinated. “As we head into the holidays, please get everyone in the family vaccinated so you can all come together safely and stay healthy.”
Visit CVEEP.org for more information on getting vaccinated.
Dr. Juanita Mora graduated from the University of Chicago before earning her medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. She then completed a combined residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at Rush University Medical Center, where she also finished her fellowship in allergy and immunology. She now serves on the Asthma Workforce board within the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
