Wikimedia Commons / paramsach
A healthcare employee points a COVID-19 booster.
On Monday, the Meals and Drug Administration accredited new COVID-19 photographs, and the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention shortly really helpful that anybody six months or older roll up their sleeves for a jab.
Dr. Jason Bowling, director of hospital epidemiology at College Well being, stated San Antonio residents ought to take into account getting the shot as a result of waning immunity might imply extra extreme instances for individuals who contract the virus once more.
“The issue is which you can nonetheless get one other an infection as a result of safety from pure immunity does not final very lengthy,” Bowling stated. “The opposite drawback is that repeat infections could also be extra extreme than the prior infections you had or can result in a case of lengthy COVID, even when you have not had that earlier than.”
This is every thing you must know concerning the 2023-2024 COVID vaccine.
Is it a booster?Some have described the brand new photographs as boosters, however that is probably not the case, in line with Bowling. As a substitute, the brand new photographs supplied by Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax are the primary to not embody the unique COVID-19 pressure. In different phrases, it is a utterly new shot.
As a substitute of combating in opposition to the unique pressure, these COVID-19 photographs will struggle in opposition to the brand new omicron variants. Though the vaccines will not embody the BA.2.86 stain that is elevating alarm bells amongst well being professionals, Bowling stated scientific trials have present that the photographs are efficient in opposition to that pressure.
Do I Actually Want One other Shot?The overwhelming majority of People have been vaccinated, with chunk of the inhabitants receiving three photographs to this point. That begs the query: Do I actually need one other shot?
In keeping with Bowling, the reply is sure.
Though COVID-19 instances in Bexar County declined for the primary time final week since June, Bowling warns that waves of infections could be unpredictable. What’s extra, College Well being is anticipating one other surge in instances this winter as folks spend extra time indoors.
The place and When Can I Get One?Though College Well being and different organizations have positioned orders from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax, it may very well be per week or two till shipments arrive, in line with Bowling.
As soon as College Well being receives the vaccine, nevertheless, it plans to supply them in any respect its outpatient pharmacies. Folks also can verify with their healthcare suppliers for particulars on how you can obtain the vaccine.
In contrast to earlier COVID-19 vaccines, the general public should pay for this one, although, with Pfizer and Moderna saying that the photographs will price someplace between $110-$130, as reported this week in Cash Journal. Nevertheless, most insurance coverage corporations will cowl the photographs, Bowling stated.
Subscribe to SA Present newsletters.
Observe us: Apple Information | Google Information | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Fb | Twitter| Or join our RSS Feed
