The much-anticipated COVID-19 vaccines for 2024-2025 have arrived in the United States, promising renewed protection against the evolving virus. With two mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech receiving FDA approval, and Novavax’s protein-based vaccine soon to be available, Americans have several options to bolster their defenses against COVID-19.
The CDC strongly recommends the upgraded 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for everyone aged 6 months and older. Vaccinations continue to offer the best protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Since the pandemic’s start, over 14 million deaths have been prevented due to vaccinations. High-risk groups, including those 65 and older and individuals with chronic medical conditions or compromised immune systems, should prioritize getting the updated shot.
However, the decision to get vaccinated is individual and should consider factors like age, underlying medical conditions, and previous vaccination history. Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert from the University of Pennsylvania, advises, ‘Were I a 35-year-old healthy adult who’d already had several doses of vaccine and one or two natural infections, I wouldn’t feel compelled to get it.’
COVID-19 remains a moving target, constantly changing with new variants. The best defense against these emerging strains is to stay up-to-date with annual vaccines, much like the flu shot regimen. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health notes that COVID-19 vaccines generally provide protection against the virus for at least three months and up to six months for severe disease.
Determining the right time to get vaccinated can be tricky. Those at highest risk for severe disease should get the vaccine as soon as possible. For others, timing may vary based on personal risk and recent vaccination or infection history. Immunity from vaccination generally takes about two weeks to develop. The CDC advises waiting two months after a recent COVID-19 vaccination and three months after a recent infection before getting the updated shot.
In terms of safety, the vaccines have minimal side effects, similar to previous doses. Common side effects include low-grade fever, soreness at the injection site, joint pain, and fatigue, usually resolving within a few days.
Vaccination also plays a crucial role in mitigating the risk of long COVID, a chronic condition with symptoms lasting at least three months post-infection. Symptoms can affect nearly every part of the body. Research from The New England Journal of Medicine links the 70% decline in long COVID cases to widespread vaccination, which helps prevent severe infections known to trigger long COVID.
Interestingly, you can receive the flu shot simultaneously with the COVID-19 vaccine. Public health experts encourage getting both vaccines during the same visit to ensure compliance and streamline the vaccination process. Receiving both does not diminish the immune response of either vaccine.
Lastly, the updated COVID-19 vaccines remain free for those with private and public insurance, including Medicare. Uninsured individuals can still access these vaccines for free at local and state health department clinics. The CDC’s Vaccines for Children Program also ensures free vaccines for individuals aged 18 and younger.
Staying informed and updated with the latest COVID-19 vaccines is crucial in safeguarding public health. As the virus evolves, so must our strategies to combat it. Getting vaccinated remains the best defense against severe disease and long COVID, providing a safer path forward through this persistent pandemic.
Source: Forbes