Austin health officials urge people to take booster shots before winter vacation as Omicron spreads

Austin health officials are urging qualified people to take booster shots as holidays approach and Omicron variants continue to spread in the United States.

Experts are concerned about how quickly this new variant will spread, I need more data To find out how it affects the United States and whether Omicron causes more serious illness than other variants. A new variant has been detected in Harris County, but not yet in Austin. However, local health leaders say this is likely to happen here as well.

“That’s a huge possibility we do [have it] Janet Pichette, chief epidemiologist in Austin’s public health, said at a press conference on Friday.

According to Pichette, if people in Austin test positive for COVID-19, the test does not know if they have the Omicron variant. It requires a gene sequence. She said APH is working with hospitals and laboratories to detect mutations and that almost all cases of Austin are now caused by Delta.

Regardless of what variety is widespread, health officials say the way to prevent infection is the same as before.

“The precautions we … use every day and the recommendations we give you every day are the same, but they still help prevent you from getting sick,” said Pichette. “And it’s wearing a mask. Wash your hands. Get vaccinated; stay home if you’re sick. Go ahead and get a booster vaccination.”

Health officials are also encouraging people planning a trip during the holidays to have a COVID-19 test before departure and upon return. If your test is positive, you should isolate yourself from others and contact your healthcare provider to see if you are eligible for treatment.

According to health official Dr. Desmar Walkes, COVD-19 infection rates are rising in Austin and Travis counties. To avoid another surge in cases, she said it was important for people to be vaccinated and for fully vaccinated people to get booster shots.

According to Walks, the COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to protect people from severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the delta type. According to her, early indications show that the vaccine is also defensive against Omicron mutants.

“Importance of [getting a] Current boosters are meant to help improve that protection. That’s why it’s important to protect yourself with currently available vaccines in case of potential spikes, “Walks said.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week Expansion of eligibility Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Booster Shots for People 16 and 17 Years Old. Those who received the last vaccination with the Pfizer vaccine more than 6 months ago can get a booster. Everyone over the age of 18 is already subject For boosters.

People can get booster shots at pharmacies and clinics around Austin. (Find one near you Vaccines.gov.. ) APH also offers boosters. Walk-in clinic In Travis County. Cassandra Deleon, Chief Executive Officer for APH’s Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, said the health sector saw an increase in the number of people getting booster shots. Increased demand can mean longer wait times.To speed up the process, DeLeon said people can make APH Online Booking..

Health officials argue that people should continue to wear masks in public indoor spaces, even after receiving booster shots.Austin-Travis County Stage 3 One of APH’s risk-based guidelines. This means that vaccinated people should wear a mask indoors or while traveling. Unvaccinated people should wear masks for both indoor and outdoor gatherings, travel, dining and shopping.

“Please wear a mask,” Walks said. “The mask is an additional layer of protection. It will prevent you from getting sick with COVID-19. If you happen to be an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19, you have not been vaccinated or have COVID. -19 will protect those who may come into contact with those at risk of developing severe cases. “

Travis County has higher immunization rates than many other parts of Texas. About 69% of people over the age of 5 are fully vaccinated in the county. In Texas as a whole, about 60% of people over the age of 5 are fully vaccinated.