Across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that total cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 have been rising consistently for the past several weeks. These trends mean it is critical for our communities to protect themselves and their loved ones with the updated COVID-19 vaccine, recently approved by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the CDC.
“Vaccination is highly effective in producing neutralizing antibodies – the protection that reduces the severity of COVID-19 related illness and the risk for hospitalization and death,” said Shephali Wulff, MD, SSM Health’s medical director of system clinical programs and an expert on infectious disease. “Vaccine-related immunity is typically longer-lasting than immune protection following natural infection.”
Getting vaccinated is important for individuals – and also for their families, friends and communities.
“Vaccination doesn’t just protect the person who may get COVID-19, but also will help protect those around them by decreasing the ability to spread the virus,” said Alex Garza, MD, SSM Health’s chief community health officer. “This is especially important when people are around the elderly, or people with immune systems that are weakened from other diseases like diabetes and cancer.”
The updated vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are designed to target the XBB strains – which are descendant versions of the Omicron variant that made many Americans sick last winter. Because we know the COVID-19 virus mutates quickly, you may wonder if the shots will protect against the strains currently circulating.
“The variants that are in circulation today are not exact matches to the vaccine just approved,” said Dr. Garza. “However, studies have shown that the new vaccine does cross react well with the more common circulating variants.”
The new shots are approved and recommended for all age groups, from 6 months and older. Both manufacturers started shipping the vaccine to pharmacies, physician offices and health systems earlier this week. SSM Health expects to receive its first shipments of the updated COVID-19 vaccine in the next few weeks. Please contact your physician's office to check availability.
The virus’ mutation and the seasonal pattern of increasing cases during fall and winter months seem to indicate that COVID-19 may be a permanent part of the upper respiratory illness season. While it may still be too early to tell – and we have seen rising case numbers earlier than the typical flu season this year – there are factors that make the virus more easily spread during the fall and winter months.
“Respiratory viruses are more common in fall and winter, as kids go back to school and folks start to aggregate indoors,” said Dr. Wulff. “Respiratory viruses also are more transmissible in cooler months because they are carried on water droplets that travel further in cooler air.”
Because the shots are available as health care organizations begin vaccinating patients for influenza, know that it is safe to get both the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. For most people, side effects will be relatively mild and may include a sore arm, low-grade fever and body aches that should go away over 24 to 48 hours.
It is important to note, the U.S. government no longer covers the cost of vaccination. Everyone is encouraged to check with their insurance provider to understand their individual coverage and what, if any, cost will be paid out of pocket. While there is a free vaccine program for uninsured and underinsured people called the Bridge Access Program, it is not expected to be ready for the public until sometime next month.
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