The below article is courtesy of the Marion County Public Health Department. Please see the visitor information page for specifics about the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital. 

In response to a steady increase in flu activity and RSV, hospitals in Marion County are making plans to begin temporary restrictions for visitors. Influenza-like illness reported by patients at hospital emergency departments in Marion County is on the rise, with the highest activity among infants and children in the 0-17 age group. RSV activity is the highest in the 0-4 age group.

Director and Chief Medical Officer of the Marion County Public Health Department, Virginia A. Caine, M.D., is making the request as part of the patient visitor policy of the Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety to help protect hospital patients and staff.

Hospitals in Marion County will begin implementing the temporary visitor restrictions during the week of Dec. 22, 2025, that include:

• No visitors with symptoms of illness such as sudden onset of fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, and runny nose.
• No visitors under the age of 18. Some facilities may allow younger visitors or make exceptions to visitor restrictions based on specific circumstances.

Visitors should check the hospital’s website or call the facility in advance to learn more about its specific restrictions, any exceptions, and when visitor restrictions will begin at that hospital.

Marion County hospitals participating in the temporary visitor restrictions include those within Community Health Network, Franciscan Health Indianapolis, Ascension St. Vincent, Indiana University Health, and Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital.

The policy is designed to help protect the most vulnerable patients from respiratory viruses. As with any time of the year, a visitor who is not feeling well should stay home. Visitors should observe the standard practices of washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes when around others. Masks will be provided for guests by the facility.

Vaccines are currently available for flu, RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) and COVID-19. Dr. Caine and leadership with the health systems in Marion County strongly urge vaccination for all who are eligible, but especially for people at higher risk of serious complications from illness.

“I can’t emphasize enough the important of protecting your health and the health of others this time of year when respiratory viruses are much more active,” said Dr. Caine. “Flu vaccine offers an important layer of protection to help prevent significant illness and hospitalization. This protection is especially important for women who are pregnant. It’s not too late to get a flu shot.”

Dr. Caine said RSV monoclonal antibodies are strongly recommended for infants to offer protection from the virus since they are too young for the RSV vaccine. Women are recommended to receive a dose of Tdap vaccine between week 27 and week 36 of pregnancy to significantly reduce the risk of pertussis (whooping cough) in babies younger than 2 months old.

Individuals should talk with their medical provider about these vaccines, and which ones are recommended for them based on age and other factors.

The Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety is comprised of chief executive, medical, nursing, quality, safety, and pharmacy officers from six Indianapolis health systems. In addition, there is participation by the Indiana Hospital Association, Indiana Department of Health, and the Marion County Public Health Department. The coalition is a non-profit public charity organization.