Now is the perfect time for journalists to warn viewers about how to plan ahead for a healthy winter.
That’s why Pointer partnered with Riskless. Let’s do more. A public education campaign hosting webinars and a series of articles like this one to better inform journalists about the important role they play in the fight against respiratory diseases.
The free webinar, “Coronavirus conspiracies, flu facts, and respiratory realities: A journalist’s guide to debunking health misinformation,” includes CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CDC chief deputy director Dr. Starring Dr. Nirav Shah. Replay possible.
Four and a half years after the coronavirus pandemic began, people are once again enjoying time with friends and family and doing the things they love. But the virus that causes COVID-19 continues to change, so it’s still important to stay up-to-date on vaccinations. Respiratory viruses, including the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), are prevalent from fall to winter. That’s why now is a good time to take care of yourself and your loved ones by knowing the latest COVID-19 vaccine facts.
“As the virus evolves, we are learning more and more about how to protect people from COVID-19,” said Dr. Namanje N. Bumpass, Principal Deputy Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine means your protection is as up-to-date as possible.”
Click here for information on this season’s COVID-19 vaccines from Risk Less. Let’s do more. Public education campaign:
Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 reduces your chances of getting seriously ill or being hospitalized. Some people’s symptoms worsen even after vaccination, but vaccination may make symptoms less severe. This is important if you are over 65 or have certain health conditions. Both can increase your risk of serious or long-term health problems, including long-term infection with COVID-19 and even death from COVID-19. If you become infected with COVID-19, talk to your doctor about treatment options to reduce your risk of serious illness.
COVID-19 vaccines are regularly updated to keep up with changes in the virus. COVID-19 vaccines are being updated based on the latest variants of the virus. The latest vaccines offer the best protection against the changing virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Up-to-date vaccines can boost your immunity and reduce your risk of serious illness.
Side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are usually mild and disappear on their own within a few days. The most common side effects are pain or redness at the injection site, headache or body aches, or fever. Serious side effects such as anaphylaxis are rare, with an incidence of approximately 5 adverse events per 1 million doses.
During the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, people in Black and Hispanic communities consistently contracted COVID-19 and required medical and hospital treatment more than people in other communities. They were more likely to die from the new coronavirus infection. Although this gap has narrowed over time, Black people were still more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 this summer compared to the average for all races and ethnicities combined. Hospitalization rates for Hispanics were lower than average. For everyone, getting an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine is the best protection against severe disease and hospitalization.
Staying informed, getting your COVID-19 vaccine this season, and encouraging your loved ones to do the same, is the best thing you can do to protect yourself and others this fall and winter. That’s one thing. Knowing the facts about COVID-19 vaccination can give you peace of mind and support a safer, healthier future for everyone. For more information, visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore or ask your doctor.
If you think you have COVID-19, testing can help. Every household in the United States is now eligible to receive four free coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test kits. Order now at COVIDTests.gov.
