Booster shot can give you an edge against COVID

To give you and your family as much protection as possible against COVID-19, UHS is urging you to consider the new COVID-19 booster shot.  Your healthcare provider now has a new and powerful tool in the battle against the potentially deadly virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently approved a new COVID-19 booster shot that is designed to lessen the severity of COVID, with a specific formula targeting the omicron variant. The vaccine booster will help protect against this newest variant but also has some of the older ingredients to help protect against other possible strains that may arise in the future.

To get this COVID-19 booster shot, you have to have had one of the original two-shot series of vaccinations. You can get the booster if it has been at least two months after the initial vaccine series or your most recent booster. Please see the chart below to learn which booster is right for you, and what timing you need to consider. Anyone who has recently had COVID should wait three months from the time they received a positive test result.

Although your initial COVID-19 vaccination was effective in preventing severe illness, studies are showing that the vaccines' protection can decrease over time.  Health experts are starting to see reduced protection against mild and moderate disease among certain groups of people, such as those over age 65.

This is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says all people should be up to date with their vaccinations. For example, all vaccinated people age 18 and older should get their booster doses as soon as they are eligible. Older adults and people with immunocompromising conditions are more likely to get severe COVID. The CDC now recommends a booster dose for children age 12-17.

The updated COVID-19 booster shot is available at most doctor’s offices and pharmacies.  To learn when and where you can get your booster, click here.