This is the time of year to spend time with family and friends, but as you do, experts say you should also protect yourself and your family from getting sick.

“The more people you’re around for a longer period of time, as we tend to spend more time with people on vacation, the more exposure you’re going to have,” Dr. Jennifer Pearl said.

Pearl, with the American Academy of Family Physicians, says the holiday occurs at the peak of respiratory virus season. She says vaccination can help protect against influenza and Covid-19.

Both are recommended for anyone six months and older. There is also an RSV vaccine for adults 75 years of age or older, or those between 60 and 74 years of age and at increased risk of severe RSV.

The injection can also be given during pregnancy between weeks 32 and 36. Babies born during the RSV season can receive monoclonal antibodies to protect against the virus.

“The best time to get your vaccines this season, if you haven’t already, is today,” Pearl said.

During the holidays, Pearl says it’s important to keep your hands clean, cover coughs and sneezes, consider wearing a mask if you’re at high risk of getting seriously ill, and if you’re sick, stay home.

“As much as you want to see these people, you don’t want to be the reason they get something that could make them sicker than you are,” Pearl said.