Indiana National Guardsmen administered COVID vaccine shots

CDC recommends getting COVID booster shot

Contributed By: The 411 News

COVID-19 is still here and following the pattern set in previous years of increased infection rates during summer. The number of people testing positive and the number of people going to emergency rooms because of COVID started creeping back up at the beginning of July.

With its announcement of an updated vaccine on Tuesday, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) said, "COVID-19 burden is currently lower than at previous points in the pandemic; however, the absolute number of hospitalizations and deaths remains high." The vaccine will increase protection against the newer forms of the Omicron variant and is now available to anyone who wants it.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available at many pharmacies and medical providers around the country. Local Walgreens and CVS stores are scheduling appointments.

COVID vaccines are still free and also covered by insurance companies.

Under the Affordable Care Act, all insurance companies are required to cover vaccines that are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), including the updated COVID-19 vaccines.

All children without insurance can get their COVID-19 vaccine under the Vaccines for Children Program. Uninsured or underinsured adults can get their COVID-19 vaccine for free under the Bridge Access Program through the end of 2024 from participating providers, HRSA-supported health centers, and pharmacies. Uninsured or underinsured adults can go to vaccines.gov to find COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to them.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older, the CDC said, and older adults and persons with weakened immune systems are at greatest risk for hospitalization and death.

At present, most COVID-19 deaths are in these groups, the CDC said. Older adults often also have underlying medical conditions that put them at greater risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

People who are immunocompromised have weak immune systems that can’t fight infections very well and can get very sick from COVID-19. If you live with or are frequently around older adults or immunocompromised people, getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine may help protect them, as well as yourself.

Eligible patients can receive a single dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine at least two months after their last dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Story Posted:09/17/2023