It reduces your chances of hospitalization and gives you added protection this winter.
Getting a COVID-19 booster shot is still something that can help protect your health this winter season. While deaths from the virus remain lower than at some other times during the pandemic in the US and Canada, keeping your protection up to date is important.
According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted online in April, 2021, adults aged 65 and older who were fully vaccinated at that time were 94% less likely to be hospitalized compared with those who weren’t, if they caught the virus. Getting vaccinated can definitely be of benefit to the older crowd.
Related: No difference between the old shot and the new bivalent COVID booster after time: experts
In addition, reports show that adults aged 18 to 49 who got their bivalent booster this fall were 43% less likely to feel sick if they caught COVID-19. A recent study showed the bivalent shot doesn’t always provide older groups with as much protection as weaker immune systems elicit a weaker response to the vaccines. People aged 50 to 64 were shown to be 28% less likely to fall sick if they got their bivalent booster and those over 65 were 22% less likely, but the booster did still….boost their immune system.
Getting the bivalent shot, or the older COVID-19 booster, can make a difference. According to a CNN report, data from blood tests showed that nearly all Americans currently have at least some protection against COVID-19, either because they’ve caught the virus already and survived, or they’ve been vaccinated, or both.
Falling sick with multiple things at once
Because COVID-19 and the flu are two different things, the unfortunate thing is that it IS possible to fall sick with both at the same time. This is even more reason to get both shots this winter. In Canada and parts of the US, pediatric hospitals are currently running at capacity and overflowing with children who are fighting off usually high levels of RSV and influenza this fall. COVID-19 is also tossed into the mix. One children’s hospital in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, will soon be receiving the help of the Canadian Red Cross in teams that will support hospital staff, allowing doctors and nurses to focus their energies on clinical tasks. Children’s surgeries are being delayed across the country and end-of-life care for young ones and their grieving parents is being put on hold in many cases as medical professionals are being dispatched to other hospitals in order to deal with the surge in serious respiratory infections in children.
While you and your family may get through the winter season unscathed when it comes to respiratory infections, it can be a good idea to stay up to date with all your vaccines instead of playing roulette and hoping for the best.
To find a flu vaccine in the US, click here. For COVID-19 vaccines, click here. In Canada, talk to your doctor or visit a local pharmacy.
photo credits: WESTOCK PRODUCTIONS/Shutterstock.com
