Preventing COVID-19

The best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is by combining everyday healthy practices with staying current on vaccination.

Stay up to date on COVID vaccination

• Everyone 6 months and older is recommended to receive the 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine after a shared decision-making conversation with a health care provider.
• Vaccination lowers your risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death.

Everyday COVID prevention strategies

COVID-19 spreads mainly through droplets and small particles in the air. You can reduce your risk by:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available.
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
• Staying home when you feel unwell.
• Wearing a mask if you are sick and need to be around others, or if advised by your health care provider.
• Improving ventilation indoors, such as opening windows or using air purifiers.

Extra protection for people who are immunocompromised

People with weakened immune systems may not respond as strongly to COVID-19 vaccines. If you are immunocompromised:

• Ask your provider if you should receive additional vaccine doses.
• Take extra steps to reduce exposure, such as masking in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.
• Have a plan for early testing and treatment, since antiviral medicines are most effective when started soon after symptoms begin.

Pemivibart (Pemgarda)

For certain immunocompromised patients, an additional preventive option may be available. Pemivibart (Pemgarda) is a monoclonal antibody therapy authorized under emergency use for pre-exposure prevention of COVID-19 in people who are:

• Age 12 or older (and at least 40 kg in weight)
• Moderately to severely immunocompromised
• Unlikely to respond adequately to COVID-19 vaccination
• Not currently infected and without a recent exposure

Pemivibart is not authorized for treatment of COVID-19 or for post-exposure prevention. Use is limited to eligible patients under the care of a provider. If you are immunocompromised, talk with your Banner Health provider to see if Pemivibart may be right for you.

If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19

• Monitor for symptoms for 10 days after exposure.
• Consider testing at least 5 days after your last contact with someone who has COVID-19.
• Wear a mask around others if you’ve been exposed, even if you don’t have symptoms.

We are here to help

If you have questions about preventing COVID-19, Banner Health providers can guide you on steps to protect yourself and your family.