Is now the time for a new COVID-19 shot?

The COVID-19 summer season surge was a shock, however are we protected now that the numbers are trending downward?

Sadly, COVID-19 is an ongoing threat, in keeping with Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, professor of medication and affiliate division chief of UC San Francisco’s Division of HIV, Infectious Ailments, however extra so for some than others. Gandhi explains who’s most in danger, who’s protected and when to get the vaccine.

Have been you stunned to see a rise in COVID-19 instances in the course of the summer season?

COVID-19 is just not but a seasonal virus. Flu and chilly viruses are most prevalent within the fall and winter as a result of they thrive in chilly and unventilated areas. Nonetheless, the COVID-19 virus has not but settled right into a typical seasonal sample as a result of it is extremely susceptible to mutating into new variants which might be extra transmissible than the final. The virus surges each within the late fall/winter, like different respiratory viruses, but in addition surges at any time when there’s a extra transmissible variant.

Whereas we did see a spike in reported COVID-19 infections final summer season (2023), this summer season’s spike was considerably larger and was a results of a brand new variant.

What’s the present dominant COVID-19 variant?

The present dominant variants are within the KP household (KP.1, KP.2, KP.3). KP.2 was the prevalent variant this summer season, however, in keeping with CDC groundwater testing, KP.2 is declining and KP.3 is on the rise. The present vaccination will supply safety for the KP variants.

If you happen to acquired the final COVID-19 shot for the XBB variant in spring 2024, you aren’t totally protected at the moment.

Who makes the brand new vaccines?

The brand new vaccines, directed towards the KP household, are from Pfizer and Moderna. The vaccinations are interchangeable and require just one shot. The Moderna vaccine is alleged to comprise a barely larger dosage and due to this fact may cause extra of a response in some recipients.

A brand new Novavax vaccination directed towards the present variant was additionally not too long ago authorized.

Who ought to get the newest vaccine?

The people who find themselves most in danger for having a extra extreme case of COVID-19 in the event that they catch it are those that are immunocompromised, older than 65 years and people with a number of co-morbidities—or a number of continual circumstances equivalent to diabetes, coronary heart circumstances, and many others.

These folks ought to “run, not stroll” to their pharmacy as a result of there’s a considerable amount of the virus circulating in communities proper now. These at-risk teams are most vulnerable to extreme infections and can profit most from the COVID-19 vaccine, which can enhance their antibodies to assist forestall infections.

I contracted COVID-19 this summer season. Do I nonetheless want a vaccination?

In case you are in one of many three high-risk teams, it’s best to get a COVID-19 shot even if you happen to contracted COVID-19 this summer season. Nonetheless, if you happen to did contact COVID-19 this summer season and are usually not in a high-risk group, I like to recommend you wait about three months earlier than getting the present vaccine for it to be only.

This summer season’s COVID-19 surge was so excessive that many within the inhabitants doubtless have pure immunity to the variant going into the winter months. For many who are beneath 65 with no co-morbidities, your physique has doubtless developed pure immunity heading into winter, so it’s possible you’ll not want the present COVID-19 vaccine. It’s best to test along with your doctor.

Is it advisable to get the COVID-19 and flu vaccinations on the identical time?

It’s okay to get the COVID-19 and flu vaccines concurrently. Checks have proven that COVID-19 and the flu vaccine are efficient when taken collectively.

Is it okay to get the COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines concurrently?

The CDC now recommends these 75 years and older obtain the RSV vaccine together with those that are 60-74 years if they’ve continual circumstances that put them excessive threat of extreme RSV. In case you are on this group and plan to get a COVID-19 vaccination, I like to recommend you get the COVID-19 vaccination first and wait about two weeks to get your RSV shot. The reason being there have not been sufficient research to substantiate whether or not simultaneous COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations would possibly intrude with one another.