The latest wave of coronavirus infections in Florida and across the United States is long gone. Doctors are now recommending that people six months of age and older get vaccinated ahead of the holiday season.
Dr. Eileen Marty, an infectious disease expert at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim School of Medicine, said this will provide adequate protection against what is currently circulating and what will be prevalent throughout this season. said.
In the United States, people have access to mRNA vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer.
What makes COVID-19 mRNA vaccines different from other vaccines is that they teach cells how to make part of the spike protein on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. That is the coronavirus that causes the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). When our bodies do this, it triggers an immune response that produces antibodies, which help protect us from illness when exposed to COVID-19.
mRNA vaccines are updated annually to target variants that are currently circulating and making people sick.
The Novavax vaccine is another option, but its effectiveness is slightly different. Novavax is not an mRNA vaccine. Instead, it’s something called a protein subunit vaccine. It already contains parts of the virus, or proteins, that trigger a response from the immune system.
This is recommended for people who have had an allergic reaction to an mRNA vaccine, have had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation around the inner wall of the heart) from an mRNA vaccine, or who do not wish to be vaccinated. will be done. It’s an mRNA vaccine.
Is now the time to get vaccinated?
Vaccines “will not prevent all infections, but they will reduce the severity of infections,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “I’d rather have my grandmother or great-grandmother sniff me than go to the emergency room on Thanksgiving.”
Experts recommend getting vaccinated now.
What happens to people who contract coronavirus over the summer?
“I have been advising my patients, family and friends to wait three months after getting COVID-19 in the summer before getting either vaccine,” Murthy said.
This week, CDC Director Mandy Cohen announced recommendations from the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for People 65 and Over and the Immunocompromised: 2024-25 Novel Coronavirus The second dose of the (COVID-19) vaccine should be given six months after the first dose.”
Most health insurance companies cover these vaccines. But a federal program to cover the cost of coronavirus vaccines has ended, and uninsured people could be asked to pay about $200 for the shot. Federally qualified health centers may have information about available assistance regarding vaccines.
Additionally, each U.S. household can order four free at-home COVID-19 tests through the Department of Health and Human Services.
Influenza is ‘truly tragic’
“The flu is no joke. Getting a severe flu is scary,” Marty said. “The real flu is really devastating. The number of influenza cases in 2023-2024 was much higher than in the previous two seasons. And that’s very important. Getting vaccinated is a great way for individuals to It’s the right thing to do for the community.”
The CDC recommends that people 6 months of age and older receive the appropriate inactivated influenza vaccine for their age group.
If you feel sick after getting the flu vaccine, you don’t actually have the flu.
“What we’re doing with these vaccines is awakening the adaptive immune response and acquiring memory cells that can attack the real virus,” Murthy said. “When the immune system detects a protein or other antigen to which it may react, some physiological changes occur while the body produces the necessary new cells and the necessary new antibodies. It is not uncommon for people to experience symptoms that make them think they may have cancer.
Since you are not actually infected with the wild virus, these symptoms will quickly subside.
RSV and mosquito-borne diseases
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is common and usually causes mild cold-like symptoms. Who should get vaccinated against RSV?
“Anyone over the age of 60 is at increased risk for severe disease from this respiratory syncytial virus,” Murthy says. “However, people in their 50s and 40s can still get the bad RSV if they have other underlying health conditions. Pregnant women who are between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant can also receive the vaccine. We’re giving vaccinations, so that’s very important.”
Marty also recommends taking precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
“Fortunately, we are coming out of mosquito season, but not as quickly as we normally would.”Florida is still warm and rainy, and standing water creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes. I am.
Health experts also say water left behind by hurricanes Helen and Milton creates habitat for mosquito eggs.
The Florida Department of Health recommends draining standing water from trash cans, buckets, pool lids, toys, flower pots, and other places where rainwater collects.
Some people may want to cover their skin with clothing or repellent.
Contributions from The Associated Press were used in this report.
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