The New Covid Vaccine Is Out. Why You Might Not Want To Rush To Get It.

the FDA has recently approved an updated covid-19 vaccine for everyone aged 6 months and older adding a new layer to the annual debate for Americans whether to get the shot now during a current outbreak or save it for a potential winter surge this updated vaccine aims to provide protection against the latest variant of the virus but the decision of when to get vaccinated is complex and varies based on individual circumstances for many people covid-19 has become a common illness with varying levels of severity some individuals experience mild symptoms While others may suffer from more intense symptoms like fever cough and fatigue a smaller subset particularly those who are older or of chronic health conditions may experience severe outcomes such as hospitalization or death the vaccine remains a critical tool in protecting those at higher risk experts advise that while the new vaccine will offer some level of protection the immunity it provides can diminish over time thus those who are generally healthy and have already been vaccinated or have built immunity through previous infections might consider waiting a few months before getting the new shot this is based on the concern That vaccine protection could be less effective by the time winter arrives as new variants might emerge Dr William Schaffner an infectious disease professor at Vanderbilt University suggests that getting the vaccine too early might mean that its protective effects could Wan by the time the winter wave of covid-19 hits on the other hand Peter Marx the fda's top vaccine official emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated to reduce the risk of severe disease and long covid particularly for those who are unvaccinated or undervaccinated current data indicates that covid-19 remains widespread with an uptick in cases seen this summer levels of the virus in Wastewater suggest that infections are as prevalent as they were during the winter months hospitalizations and deaths have increased but are not approaching the severe level seen in past surges partial immunity from previous infections and vaccinations has contributed to a decrease in severe outcomes additionally studies suggest that recent variants may be less virent compared to earlier strains covid-19 vaccines are updated annually to address circulating variants this year's vaccines including those from Mna fizer and novax are tailored to Target the Omicron variant jn1 the MRNA vaccines from madna and fiser are considered effective in preventing severe disease and death even though newer variants might emerge public interest in covid-19 vaccines has decreased with only about 20% of adults getting vaccinated since last September compared to a much higher uptake during the initial rollout vaccine uptake is lower in states with higher support for Donald Trump and among groups with less access to health care and education the cost and availability of vaccines are also factors affecting vaccination rates uninsured and underinsured individuals might face barriers to getting the vaccine the cdc's program that provided free boosters has ended and while there are some funds A available to cover the cost of vaccines for the uninsured it may not be sufficient to meet the demand some pharmacies are pricing the vaccine at over $200 per dose which could further limit access for many people for those invulnerable populations getting vaccinated closer to the winter season may be prudent but it's also important to take preventive measures such as wearing masks and avoiding crowded places if you are at risk or feeling unwell if you test positive for covid-19 seek medical advice promptly as antiviral treatments like PA loved can help mitigate symptoms and reduce the risk of severe outcomes starting in late September the health and human services department will provide for free co9 tests per household through co.gov the government's fall vaccine campaign risk class live more will focus on encouraging vaccination among older adults and nursing home residents while not everyone may need a fall booster offering the option is valuable the decision to get vaccinated should be based on individual risk factors current health status and personal preferences the updated vaccines and preventive measures continue to play a critical role in managing the ongoing impact of covid-19