Public health experts say that getting the new COVID-19 booster that protects against the new Omicron variants is a step towards successfully living with the virus 鈥� something we are going to be doing for the long term.
鈥淚t鈥檚 endemic. It鈥檚 got staying power like no other,鈥� said Summit County Public Health (SCPH) Commissioner Donna Skoda. 鈥淣ow it鈥檚 becoming more infectious and less sever. I think we will prepare every year in the fall, particularly.鈥�
In late August, the (FDA) gave emergency authorization to a new COVID-19 booster shot designed to protect against the original strain of the virus and the new BA.4 and BA.5 variants that are currently dominant in Ohio. The new booster is currently available through health departments, hospital systems and pharmacies.
鈥淚t should provide much better protection 鈥� especially for people who haven鈥檛 gotten their booster and people who haven鈥檛 been infected with COVID recently," said Dr. Amy Edwards, head of University Hospitals鈥� Pediatric COVID Recovery Clinic. 鈥淭his shot is very important. It could save a lot of lives.鈥�
Demand for the booster has been 鈥渁verage,鈥� Skoda said.
鈥淪ome folks think it鈥檚 a little early to take it,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey want to wait a little bit and take it closer to October. We tell people any time you get a vaccine is a good time.鈥�
For those who want to wait before getting their shot, Edwards said that the previous booster dose should offer you some protection for a couple of months.
鈥淲e鈥檙e saying the same with an infection,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou can wait eight to 12 weeks.鈥�
But you also don鈥檛 have to wait if you want to get the new booster, she added.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e particularly compromised, and you really do want this more effective booster right away you don鈥檛 have to wait,鈥� Edwards said.
There is no cost for the vaccine, but some pharmacies or physicians鈥� offices may charge and administration fee to your insurance, Skoda explained.
鈥淚f you have no insurance that should not deter you from getting the vaccine because there are programs to cover that administration cost,鈥� Skoda said. 鈥淲e just want individuals just get the shot, but, please, don鈥檛 let any kind of cost deter you.鈥�
The Pfizer booster is approved for those ages 12 and older; Moderna for those 18 and up, according to the FDA.
The new boosters are only for people who received the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, Skoda said. There is no updated booster available for people who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, also known as Novavax.
