COVID-19 vaccines coming to Idaho soon, but why wait for flu shots? • Idaho Capital Sun

A new COVID-19 vaccine tailored to the recently spreading variants will soon be available in Idaho. This comes amid rising levels of COVID-19 infections across the nation and in Idaho. But Idaho state epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn said in an interview with The Sun last week that the increase in reported cases in the state is not straining hospitals the way summer surges across the country have. "A major surge in infections is coming," she said, "... which is why we strongly encourage people, especially those at high risk or who are planning to travel, to get the COVID vaccine as soon as it is available to them." Two new mRNA COVID vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna — Authorized The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced measures to combat the latest coronavirus variants. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare expects the vaccine to be widely available in September. The department will notify the public once the vaccine arrives in Idaho, Hahn said. People can visit the federal government website Vaccine.gov, Hahn said. However, public health experts recommend waiting at least a few weeks before getting a flu shot until flu season is closer. Get morning headlines delivered to your inbox Subscribe An evolving virus: why there are new COVID vaccines The new vaccine boosts the immune system to protect against severe disease, which is especially important for older adults and adults with multiple medical conditions, Dr. David Pate, former CEO of St. Luke's Health System, said in an interview with The Sun last week. "But for other people, it can protect them from getting more severe disease if they haven't been infected recently and haven't continued to get booster vaccinations," he said. He said the vaccine also partially protects against long COVID-19, which can include severe or mild symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue that can last long after the initial infection. Pate said nearly everyone now has some immunity to the virus, either through infection, the vaccine or both. Pate is among public health experts who would not call the COVID-19 vaccine a "booster" because the new vaccine is tailored to the latest spreading coronavirus, which has evolved significantly from earlier versions and found ways to evade the immune response. "As we allowed the virus to spread, it was learning how to get around people's existing immunity and still infect them," Pate said. "That's what viruses want to do. They just want to infect their hosts." Because the virus is evolving much faster than it was early in the pandemic, "we need vaccines more often than we do for many diseases," Pate said. "Unfortunately, giving this vaccine once a year is not going to keep up with the rate at which this virus is currently mutating," Pate said. Who can get the new vaccine? Anyone aged 12 and older is eligible to receive one dose of the updated vaccine if they have been vaccinated previously. States Newsroom reportedYou should also wait at least two months since your last vaccination. For previously unvaccinated children ages 6 months to 4 years, three doses of the modified Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine or two doses of the modified Moderna vaccine have been approved, according to the FDA announcement. Children ages 6 months to 4 years who have already received a COVID-19 vaccine can receive either one or two doses of the vaccine, or the updated vaccine. Dosage will depend on when the previous vaccination was given and how many doses they received. Children ages 5 to 11 can get one dose of the updated vaccine, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated previously. If a child of that age has previously been vaccinated against COVID-19, they should wait at least two months before getting the updated vaccine. The FDA also announced on Friday Approved One Non-mRNA Novavax's COVID vaccine. Through the end of September, American families will be able to order up to four free rapid at-home COVID tests. translation:. As flu season approaches, you should get a flu shot Although the flu vaccine may be available at your COVID vaccination appointment, public health experts say you should hold off on getting a flu shot right away. Hahn said late September or early October is the "sweet spot." That's because any immunity you may have from the flu shot may wear off. However, flu season usually peaks around February each year and can last well into the spring. Flu season peaks vary, but typically don't see a big spike until around November, Pate said. "Don't get the flu vaccine now. Wait until you start to see an increase in cases. And then when you start to see an increase in cases, that's a good time to get a flu shot," he said. Sources 1/ https://Google.com/ 2/ https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/09/03/new-covid-19-vaccines-will-soon-be-in-idaho-but-for-flu-shots-heres-why-to-wait/ The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article

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COVID-19 vaccines coming to Idaho soon, but why wait for flu shots? • Idaho Capital Sun

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COVID-19 vaccines coming to Idaho soon, but why wait for flu shots? • Idaho Capital Sun

An evolving virus: why there are new COVID vaccines

Who can get the new vaccine?

As flu season approaches, you should get a flu shot

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