COVID-19 infections are on the comeback; so are vaccinations. What do experts say?

Increasing COVID-19 infections may prompt the thought: Should I get a booster shot?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Americans need to stay current on their vaccines against the virus.

“Vaccination remains the safest strategy for avoiding hospitalizations, long-term health outcomes, and death,” according to the CDC.

Commercial pharmacies, hospitals, and physicians’ offices say they are following the CDC guidelines issued in July.

Florida experienced 15,170 new cases and 32 deaths the week ending Aug. 3, up from 12,869 cases the week earlier, according to the state Department of Health. The increase started in late May and doubled in one month from late June to late July.

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The case count reported every two weeks by DOH is likely low since at-home testing is prominent and individuals with a positive test are not required to report to the state.

Here is the CDC advisory issued in July:

• Everyone 6 years old and older should get one updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccine regardless of whether they’ve received any original vaccines.
• People aged 65 years and older may get a second dose of the updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
• Children aged 6 months to 5 years old may need multiple doses to be up to date, including at least one dose of the updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, depending on the number of doses they’ve previously received and their age.

Updated vaccine verses original: Huh?

The original vaccines that became widely available in early 2021 are no longer available.

The updated vaccines given currently protect against both the original virus and the Omicron variant, which emerged in late 2021, according to the CDC. They are bivalent vaccines.

The original vaccines no longer in use protected against the original virus and were a “monovalent” vaccine.

What about a new vaccine coming out this fall?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory panel met in June and decided vaccines for release sometime in September will be a monovalent vaccine targeting the Omicron subvariant.

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“Until the fall updated vaccine is available, those who have never been vaccinated or feel they need additional protection beyond their most recent vaccination might consider getting the currently available bivalent COVID vaccine in consultation with their healthcare provider,” according to the CDC.

“However, that decision must take into consideration that receiving the currently available COVID-19 vaccine now or in early September could delay their ability to get the updated vaccine this fall,” the agency added.

Confused?

Here is how Lee Health’s epidemiologist, Dr. Mary Beth Saunders, sums up the guidance:

“The recommendation is that everyone who is six years and older should be vaccinated with one of the ‘updated’ Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines,” she said in an email.

“It is anticipated that the ‘new’ updated vaccines will be available in September offering protection against the current circulating strains of COVID-19,” she said.

Should seniors get a booster now or wait?

Saunders said seniors should speak with their healthcare provider. There may be circumstances in which a provider will suggest a senior receive the current formulation while waiting for the new formulation expected in September, she said.

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At the Healthcare Network in Collier County, the dominant provider for children in the community and for many adults, its staff do not recommend anyone wait until the new vaccine comes out in September.

“At Healthcare Network we recommend patients stay up to date on all vaccinations and boosters,” said Dr. Marlene Gonzalez, a family physician.

The center is concerned that patients are not staying up to date on the shots, she said.

“We have seen a rise in COVID positive cases in the last few weeks,” she said. “People are not considering COVID as a possibility when presenting with a runny nose or allergy symptoms and are often surprised when their test returns positive.”

Here are some options in Southwest Florida:

• CVS pharmacies ― Appointments can be scheduled at CVS.com or in the CVS Pharmacy app.
• Walgreens ― Go to walgreens.com or call 1-800-Walgreens or download the free Walgreens App.
• Walmart ― Visit walmart.com for information.
• Lee Health Physician Group ― Is currently offering the vaccine boosters to everyone. Adults walk-ins may sign up at www.leehealth.org/covid-19-vaccine. The shots are free but that will change in September when it will be billed. For kids, an appointment is required.
• NCH Physician Group ― Does not offer COVID vaccine boosters. It refers patients to local pharmacies
• Healthcare Network in Collier County ― Visit healthcareswfl.org.