United States: As the days get shorter and the leaves start to turn, another season begins: winter time or the flu season, as it is commonly referred to. In the same way that seasons shift, so does COVID.
As Dr. David Hilden with Hennepin Healthcare suggested, “It still gets people sick, and some people die,” and “But it is true that it’s a much different illness than we were used to three to four years ago.”
However, the good news is that a new vaccine is now available for the latest variant just in time for the fall season. The shot is available for anybody who is six months old and above.
More about the news
According to St. Paul resident Ryan Eatchen, “Usually I get it around when I get my flu shot, I’ll get the vaccine,” CBS News reported.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that if you have had COVID recently, you would have to wait three months before getting administered the new Vaccine.
Who should take the Vaccine soon?
Moreover, as Hilden mentioned, people who are pregnant, have weak immunity, are above 65, or have other ongoing health conditions should take the Vaccine now.
“Everybody else, it’s not an emergency. You don’t need to rush off and wait in line to get the thing, but you should get it in the next few months if you can,” Hilden added.
However, this is the first time that the vaccine is not free for those with no insurance but who have to pay a certain amount of money.
What more are the experts stating?
As per Hilden, “It’s too bad we’re adding this little bit of barrier to people, but the vast majority of people shouldn’t pay anything for the vaccine.”
As the experts suggest, the vaccines offer no shield against long COVID, which remained a concerning factor, CBS News reported.
If one does get infected, the CDC advises staying home until at least 24 hours after the fever is gone without using fever-reducing medicine, wearing a well-fitted mask around others for five days, avoiding close contact with others, and using the best air filtration and ventilation available.
Some have had problems getting vaccination appointments at nearby drug stores, probably because of the lack of human resources.