For many individuals who’ve already had COVID, a reinfection is usually milder than an earlier case. However these 65 and older, pregnant or immunocompromised stay at increased danger of significant problems from COVID.
Well being officers have informed People to anticipate a yearly replace to COVID vaccines, identical to annual flu pictures are up to date to guard in opposition to the newest flu strains.
“Our prime advice for safeguarding your self and your family members from respiratory sickness is to get vaccinated,” mentioned Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the CDC, mentioned in a press launch. “Make a plan now for you and your loved ones to get each up to date flu and COVID vaccines this fall, forward of the respiratory virus season.”
However many People are usually not following the CDC’s recommendation. Solely about 22% of U.S. adults and 14% of youngsters had been updated of their COVID pictures, in response to the CDC.
It’s even decrease in Georgia with only about 8% of adults and less than 2% of children up to date, according to CDC.
Whereas the overall advice is for everybody six months and older to get an up to date COVID shot, docs and public well being consultants say it’s particularly necessary for older adults and others individuals at excessive danger for extreme sickness.
Age stays the strongest danger issue for extreme COVID outcomes, with risk of severe outcomes increasing markedly with increasing age, according to CDC researchers. In comparison with adults between 18 and 29, the chance of dying from COVID is 25 instances increased in these between the ages of fifty and 64 years, 60 instances increased in these ages 65 and 74 years. It’s 340 instances increased in these ages 85 and older.
The most recent suggestions come at a time when cases are growing or likely growing in 39 states including Georgia, in response to the CDC, signaling {that a} summer season bump is underway. The CDC now not tracks COVID case numbers however estimates the pattern of the virus unfold primarily based on emergency room visits.
Ranges of virus present in wastewater samples, usually an early sign of rising COVID instances, have additionally been rising in Georgia in response to CDC surveillance. Nevertheless it’s not clear if meaning instances will proceed to surge.
And whereas the rise shouldn’t be too stunning now that persons are touring and gathering indoors the place it’s cooler, well being consultants and docs anticipate this season’s diseases to be milder than some previous variations of the virus. However the newest iterations of the ever-evolving coronavirus appear to be extra contagious.
Signs from the newest variants circulating are acquainted and embody sore throat, runny nostril, coughing, head and physique aches, fever, fatigue, and in additional extreme instances, shortness of breath.
Earlier this month, the Meals and Drug Administration — following the steerage of its personal panel of professional advisers — informed vaccine producers to focus on the JN.1 (omicron) model of the virus. However per week later, the FDA informed producers that if they may nonetheless swap, a greater goal is perhaps a good newer variant known as KP.2.
Knowledge reporter Stephanie Lamm and The Related Press contributed to this story
