November and December are often synonymous with travel. Whether taking a brief road trip or flying across the country, a little planning and presence can make these adventures safer, healthier and more enjoyable.

Safety

Safety is a common concern in current travels, especially for marginalized community members, people with disabilities or people with identification cards that may be outdated or not match their current presentation. For folks affected by these concerns, consider the following:

— Talk to people who have traveled to the same place recently — ideally, people who share context: legal status, nationality, race, etc.

— Check laws of the state or country being visited. Do not rely exclusively on laws to tell you what you are protected from or what enforcement is like.

— Choose an emergency contact and discuss travel plans and concerns with them. Memorize the emergency contact's phone number(s).

— If traveling to a higher-risk area for any reason, plan check-in times with the emergency contact along with contingency plans if those check-ins are not completed. Consider creating an itinerary and giving a copy of it to the emergency contact.

— Make two copies of ID documents for those traveling — one to travel with and one for the emergency contact.

— Bring prescriptions in the containers they came in or place them in a box with their prescription label. Make sure to have enough medications to last a few additional days in the event of travel delays.

— If traveling with a minor, consider bringing a certified copy of their birth certificate as well as any certified copies of court orders for name changes. If their other parent isn't traveling, consider bringing a signed letter from that parent acknowledging approval of travel along with dates and times.

— For more information and ideas on safe traveling, visit prismfamilymedicine.com for a downloadable travel safety plan developed by the TransHealth & Wellness Center of Washington.

Health

Protecting one's health along with the health of their loved ones while traveling is especially important during cold and flu season. The flu vaccine reduces the risk of being seen by a doctor for the flu by 30 percent to 60 percent.

The COVID-19 vaccine incurs 30 percent to 60 percent additional protection against illness and severe disease. The RSV vaccine reduces risk of severe disease in vulnerable populations by 80 percent to 96 percent.

Be sure to have completed seasonal vaccines at least two weeks prior to any travel to ensure full immunization. All children older than 6 months, pregnant persons and adults are eligible for the flu vaccine.

Children younger than age 9 getting their first vaccine will need two doses one month apart. Adults older than age 50 are eligible for the high-dose flu vaccine, which is also the preferred vaccine for adults older than age 65.

Children age 6 months to 23 months and their peers with risk factors age 2 to 17 along with all adults and pregnant persons are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. If a person has been infected by COVID-19, it is recommended they wait at least six months prior to their next COVID-19 vaccine.

The RSV vaccine is recommended for all infants younger than 8 months of age, all pregnant persons at 32 to 36 weeks gestation and all adults older than age 75 or age 50 to 74 with additional risk factors. Current guidelines state that RSV only requires one lifetime vaccine.

For more information, please see the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Joy

In an era of uncertainty, we at Prism Family Medicine invite our fellow community members to celebrate every small moment. The world can feel overwhelming at times, especially in the current climate.

For some of us, holidays are steeped in generational trauma, memories of loss or fear for the future. While these stressors are ever-present, we are allowed to set them aside for a moment and enjoy simple pleasures.

Whether crunching through fallen leaves, having a dance party with the little cousins, sharing in a classic holiday movie with our children or walking by a coffee shop and smelling that sweet pumpkin spice, we can make room for joy. Please join us this season in finding and celebrating as many of those moments as possible.

Through these moments, we find light in our darkest days.

Ryan Wolfley, PA-C, is a graduate of the Idaho State University Physician Assistant Program with experience in psychiatric medication management and primary care.

Jessica Rolynn, MD, is a family medicine physician who completed her degree at the University of Washington School of Medicine and her residency at ISU Family Medicine Residency. They are both accepting new patients at Prism Family Medicine.