Springfield-Greene County Health is encouraging more people to get their COVID-19 updated booster due to rising COVID-19 cases. The 7-day average for COVID-19 cases is 49 as of Dec. 1 – the highest since mid-September. The rise in COVID-19 cases is due in part to low vaccination rates. New data shows only 10% of Greene County residents ages 5 and up having received the updated booster.
A person’s acquired immunity naturally decreases over time which causes protection from previous doses of a COVID-19 primary series or booster to wane. The COVID-19 updated booster gives the body’s immune system a boost to maintain strong protection against COVID-19.
The booster, available from both Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech, is designed to help protect against severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19 and its Omicron variant, as well as the Omicron strains BA.4 and BA.5.
COVID-19 is not the only respiratory illness going around this time of year. Flu cases in Greene County are historically high, with nearly 800 cases being reported from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3. Flu vaccines are available and can help protect you against severe illness. It takes around two weeks for your body to build antibodies to protect you against the flu, so getting vaccinated this week can protect you before the holidays.
It is considered safe to get both a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same time.
You can find vaccination opportunities for both the COVID-19 updated booster and flu closest to you by using the Find a Vaccine map tool at vaccine417.com.
Individuals who receive a primary (first or second) dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or their first booster shot at a Health Department clinic will receive a $50 gift card while supplies last.
Original source can be found here.
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