Winter is approaching and we need to strengthen our immune system against diseases with the latest versions of vaccines.
“We need to consider three vaccines, depending on age and situation,” says Dr. Andrew Pavia, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Utah and director of hospital epidemiology at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. .
As always, doctors recommend getting a flu shot this year. But there is also a new Covid vaccine. Recommended for everyone over 6 months old It was announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday, and it could be beneficial for you as temperatures drop.
“The third one is the RSV (RSV) vaccine, which is in many ways the newest and most interesting because nothing has been done to protect adults and most young children from RSV.” Pavia told CNBC. success.
Here’s what you need to know about each vaccine to prepare for the possibility.tripledemic“This fall and winter.
1. Flu vaccination
“Everyone should think about the influenza vaccine. The vaccine is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age,” Pavia says. “There are huge benefits for people of all ages.”
Groups at highest risk of serious complications from influenza, according to CDCinclude:
- Children under 5 years of age, especially children under 2 years of age
- People over 65 years old
- People with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease
- pregnant person
“But even people who don’t have these risk factors can still get the flu and become seriously ill. There’s no reason at all why someone would end up in the ICU and who would have mild symptoms,” he said. added.
When should I get the influenza vaccine? In Pavia, we recommend getting a flu shot between early September and late October. “It is safe to receive the vaccine in early September. [but] “If you wait until October, you might have a little more protection later in the flu season,” he added.
How much does it cost? Pavia said the cost of the flu shot is typically covered by most insurance companies and is often given for free through many local programs.
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2. Latest new coronavirus vaccine
On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new Covid vaccine targeting the Omicron variant called XBB.1.5. The CDC must approve the vaccine before it can be distributed to the public, but the Biden administration said in August that it expected the vaccine to be available by mid-September, CNBC reported.
“You could call it a new booster, but now that it’s in its annual renewal cycle, it’s the perfect vaccine for this year,” Pavia told CNBC Make It.
Similar to the flu shot, we are moving toward the stage where we can expect the latest coronavirus vaccines to protect against the virus surge expected this winter.
“The updated vaccine is expected to provide adequate protection against novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from currently circulating variants,” the FDA wrote in the paper. release on monday.
When should I get the latest coronavirus vaccine? Unless you recently had a booster shot or had Covid some time ago, you should aim to get the new Covid vaccine in the early fall. People who have received a booster shot or have recently been infected with the coronavirus should wait two to three months before receiving the latest coronavirus vaccine, Pavia said.
How much does it cost? Currently, the latest coronavirus vaccines are recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and are likely to be covered by insurance. “But it will no longer be a free government vaccine,” Pavia said. However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services program This will make the coronavirus vaccine available to uninsured and underinsured Americans for free, he added.
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3. New RSV vaccine
Respiratory syncytial virus is a “common respiratory virus that usually causes mild cold-like symptoms,” it said. CDC. The authorities noted that infants and adults over the age of 60 are most at risk for severe outcomes from RSV.
Although it is highly recommended that babies under 8 months of age be vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus, some older babies may be at higher risk of complications from the virus. CDC Said.
senior citizenPeople with heart or lung disease should also consider getting the respiratory syncytial virus vaccine, Pavia said.
When should I get the RSV vaccine? Pavia said the respiratory syncytial virus season typically begins in October, and it’s best to get the vaccine as soon as it’s available to get the most protection.
How much does it cost? “ACIP has made a more relaxed recommendation for the RSV vaccine, so coverage will likely fluctuate,” Pavia said.
For people enrolled in certain Medicare plans, the RSV vaccine must be covered specifically under Part D plans. If you don’t have drug insurance, you could end up paying a lot of money out of pocket, he added. According to reports, some people over the age of 60 have been forced to pay bills of more than $300 for RSV vaccinations. new york times.
“Private insurance may cover it, but legally it doesn’t have to cover it for 12 months, so your insurance company may or may not cover it,” Pavia says.
As a disclaimer, CDC It states that it is safe to receive the influenza vaccine and the coronavirus vaccine at the same time, but guidance has not yet been shared on whether it is recommended to receive the RSV vaccine at the same time as the other two vaccinations. Is not …
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