Sedgwick County is coming off a summer surge in COVID-19 cases and is heading into cold and flu season.
Health officials hope the surge will encourage far more people to seek out the COVID-19 vaccine, which is recommended annually for anyone 6 months of age or older.
Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that fewer than a quarter of adults actually received a COVID-19 vaccine.
Levels of COVID virus activity remain high in Kansas, according to CDC wastewater surveillance.
But COVID-19 is just one of the respiratory illnesses doctors worry about: Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can be severe and even deadly in young children and the elderly.
Health officials have stressed the importance of COVID and flu vaccines for most people, as well as the RSV vaccine for older adults, pregnant women and young children.
Get answers about when and where to get the vaccine and how much it will cost.
Sedgwick County Health Director Adrienne Byrne said the slightly higher number of COVID-19 cases this summer is unusual because cases typically don’t peak until school starts and then peak again over winter break.
“We were starting to see an increase (in COVID cases) even before school started,” Byrne said. “As always, it’s important to get an up-to-date flu vaccine and an up-to-date COVID vaccine.”
Doctors and health officials say the COVID vaccine is the best way to prevent severe illness and also reduces the risk of developing long COVID, a debilitating illness in which symptoms can last for months or even years.
The price of the vaccine rose to more than $100 after the federal government ended the public health emergency in May 2023, but CVS is charging more than $200.
People with Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance can get vaccinated for free or for a small fee. The federal government’s $1 billion Bridge Access Program made it possible for uninsured people to get vaccinated for free, but funds ran out at the end of August.
“We’re not going to refuse anyone the vaccine,” Byrne said.
Byrne said the end of federal funding means the health department will have fewer COVID vaccines available to administer to insured individuals.
Kansas has received $780,000 from the federal government to purchase COVID-19 vaccines. The state is working with county health departments to assess demand. Jill Bronough, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said the vaccines will be “equitable distributed” across the state.
Wichita Public Schools holds flu vaccination clinics for students every year, and Kimber Kasitz, the district’s director of health services, said Wichita schools educate students about the importance of prevention and getting the vaccine.
“We are trying to be proactive in promoting preventative measures, including getting the vaccine in advance as soon as it becomes available,” Kasitz said.
The district is also offering free combo testing to students to test for Influenza A, Influenza B and COVID and track positive cases.
Wichita Public Schools is experiencing a “small but significant surge” in coronavirus cases, Kasitz said, and the district is working closely with the Sedgwick County Health Department and following recommendations for increased prevention measures.
The school is following CDC guidelines, requiring students and staff to be fever-free for at least 24 hours before coming to school, and students can receive assignments via email or Teams.
“We definitely don’t want people to come to work if they’re too sick to do their jobs,” Kasitz said. “And that goes for students too. If you push yourself too hard too quickly, it’s just going to drag you out.”
Where can I get the new COVID vaccine? How much will it cost?
Many pharmacies are accepting walk-ins for vaccinations, and retail chains like Walgreens and CVS are allowing people to sign up through their websites. People with Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance can still get the COVID vaccine for free, but may have to pay an administration fee.
Uninsured or underinsured minors can get vaccinated for free through a federal program called Vaccines for Kids.
If I don’t have insurance, where can I get vaccinated?
To help fill this gap for Wichita residents, the Sedgwick County Health Department will be offering free COVID and flu vaccines to those who are uninsured. Byrne said the effort is supported by two state programs, so federal funding will not affect it.
This fall, the Sedgwick County Health Department will be offering both appointments and walk-in vaccinations starting at 1 p.m. Thursdays at its main clinic, located at 2716 W. Central Ave. in Wichita. Those who receive the vaccine will be required to pay an administration fee, which can be reduced to $2 with proof of income.
In addition to the Sedgwick County Health Department, uninsured people can get vaccinated at federally funded clinics and public health clinics.
Healthcore Clinic (2707 E. 21st St. N., Wichita) is offering COVID-19 vaccines to anyone 6 months of age or older. You can make an appointment or go to a walk-in clinic on Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m. The latest Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are available. Hunter Health Clinic (527 N. Grove, Wichita; 2750 S. Roosevelt) is offering COVID-19 vaccines to patients age 5 and older and local residents, as well as free COVID-19 testing. Guadalupe Clinic (940 S. St. Francis Ave., Wichita; 2825 S. Hillside) serves uninsured patients and those living within 200% of the federal poverty level. Patients can get the flu vaccine at no cost. Wichita Public Schools and the Sedgwick County Health Department will host free flu clinics for students at the Alvin E. Morris Administrative Center, 903 S. Edgemoor St. in Wichita, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 18, 19 and 21. Reservations are required.
What makes the COVID vaccine different?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given full approval to the improved Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax vaccines.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, both approved for everyone over 6 months of age, use mRNA technology to help the body fight the virus that causes COVID. When injected, the mRNA tells cells to make copies of the spike protein found in the virus, training the immune system to recognize and attack the real virus.
The Novavax vaccine, approved for people aged 12 and older, is the only non-mRNA COVID vaccine currently available. The vaccine uses common vaccine technology to introduce a harmless version of the spike protein, which the immune system recognizes as foreign and produces antibodies to help protect against the actual virus.
What variants do the latest vaccines target?
The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines target the KP.2 strain of the virus, one of the FLiRT strains, a highly contagious COVID variant that drove the spread of infections this summer. Novavax specifically targets JN.1, but the company reports its vaccine protects against multiple variants, including KP.2 and KP.3.
What are the symptoms of the current COVID variant?
Many people infected with the current variant are reporting cold- or flu-like symptoms, said Dr. Amy Seely, a pediatrician at Ascension Via Christi’s family medicine residency program, which can include brain fog, fever, runny nose, cough and muscle aches.
“A great many people in this outbreak have had some pretty bad summer colds that we’ve determined are probably due to COVID-19,” she said.
The CDC reported that KP.3 has overtaken KP.2 as the predominant variant of COVID-19 since June, and estimated that a variant of it, KP.3.1.1, became the predominant variant last month.
If I’ve recently had COVID, how long should I wait to get the new COVID vaccine?
Doctors said people could wait up to three months after infection before getting the new vaccine, as exposure to the virus builds immunity.
How long will the vaccine protect me?
Steele said people who get the vaccine can expect to stay healthy for about three months. The vaccine protects against severe illness for at least six months. Older people and those with underlying health conditions may be encouraged to get a second dose later in the year.
If I get sick, when should I get tested?
Get tested if you have symptoms, says Dr. Sarah Boyd, an infectious disease physician at St. Luke’s Health System. And don’t assume that a single negative result from a home antigen test means you don’t have COVID-19. If you continue to have a cough, sore throat, or other symptoms, you should get a second test in 48 hours to rule out COVID-19.
When should I get tested if I think I may be infected?
If you know you were exposed but don’t have symptoms, you should get tested five days after exposure — there’s no need to repeat the test unless you develop symptoms, Boyd said.
Where can I get a COVID test?
Starting in late September, you’ll be able to order four free tests from the federal government. Tests can be purchased at most drug stores or online, but they can cost $6 or more per test. Some pharmacies continue to offer free tests for people who are uninsured, have had COVID, or have symptoms.
If I test positive, do I have to stay home?
The CDC recommends that if you test positive, you avoid contact with others. Once your symptoms have improved and you’ve had no fever for 24 hours, you can return to school or work, unless you’ve gone to a medical facility. If you do go out, you should still take precautions, like wearing a mask, for another five days.
If I test positive, should I consider taking Paxlovid?
If you test positive, you should consult your doctor, Boyd says. Your doctor may recommend taking the antiviral drug paxlovir to prevent serious illness. Paxlovir must be started within five days of onset of symptoms, so testing and determining if you have COVID-19 is especially important for people at high risk.
How can you reduce your risk of getting long COVID-19?
Experts say the best strategy to avoid long-term COVID-19 is to not get it in the first place: wear a mask in crowded places, practice good hand hygiene, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth in public. And most importantly, keep your vaccine up to date. Like flu shots, the latest COVID vaccines are tailored to better match and fend off circulating variants of the virus.
Can I get the flu vaccine and the COVID vaccine at the same time?
It is safe to get the flu vaccine and the COVID vaccine at the same time, and adults who are eligible for the RSV vaccine can get all three together.
What are the symptoms of flu?
The main symptoms of influenza are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches and fatigue.
Who should get the flu vaccine?
Flu season occurs during the fall and winter, and getting the vaccine also reduces the risk of severe illness. The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months of age or older, and the best time to get vaccinated is in September or October.
Seely said having an up-to-date vaccine is important because, like COVID-19, the flu virus continues to evolve.
“Having the latest vaccine can make a big difference,” she said.
What are the symptoms of RSV infection?
RSV infection usually causes mild cold-like symptoms, but in infants and the elderly, it can become severe and require hospitalization.
In 2023, the first two RSV vaccines licensed in the United States became available.
“As a pediatrician, I’m very excited about the RSV technology right now,” Seely said.
Who should receive the RSV vaccine?
The CDC recommends one dose of RSV vaccine for all adults 75 years of age and older and for people 60-74 years of age who are at high risk for severe RSV infection. Adults can receive the RSV vaccine along with other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine or COVID vaccine.
Pregnant women can also receive a vaccine to protect their infants and young children against severe RSV infection. The vaccine enables the parents’ immune systems to make antibodies that can be passed on to the baby, providing additional protection for the first 4 to 6 months of life.
“This is surprising to us because about 30 percent of children who get RSV infection require some level of advanced medical care, and it can be very frightening for parents, especially when the infant is young,” Seely said.
If parents did not receive the RSV vaccine during pregnancy, the CDC recommends vaccinating the infant with a monoclonal antibody that protects against severe RSV infection. This is also recommended for infants ages 8 to 19 months who are at high risk.
