I am confused about vacc updates for my kiddos. They each had their last booster in Nov/Dec 2022. I am questioning whether to get them boostered again or wait until fall updates come out. Of course the CDC website wording is complicated. And their Drs office didn’t offer them so it’s up to me to keep track.😬
Saying the CDC website is complicated is an understatement -- you need the patience of a saint and advanced medical degrees to even begin to understand what is being said.
My advice -- unless your kiddos are immunocompromised or at severe risks for complications from COVID, wait. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet on Sept 12. We should have clear instructions from them regarding who should get the new booster and when. Please know -- it may be that your kids (and you) do not need a booster this fall. There is a lot of data out there saying that the vaccine is highly effective for individuals who are older and at get risk (think -- cancer patients or individuals with HIV). But there is limited benefit to those of us with healthy immune systems who have received previous versions of the vaccine.
As we near year 4 of our lives with COVID -- the virus is still circulating and evolving. The vaccine has been VERY good at preventing severe illness and death. It is not able to prevent infection -- it just helps your body once it is infected. Young, healthy individuals may not need an annual booster; on the flipside, that may be recommended. A review of the data is needed and the experts need to ask questions and discuss the pros/cons of boosters.
Stay tuned... I'll have updates ready to go as soon as decisions are made!
I am confused about vacc updates for my kiddos. They each had their last booster in Nov/Dec 2022. I am questioning whether to get them boostered again or wait until fall updates come out. Of course the CDC website wording is complicated. And their Drs office didn’t offer them so it’s up to me to keep track.😬
Saying the CDC website is complicated is an understatement -- you need the patience of a saint and advanced medical degrees to even begin to understand what is being said.
My advice -- unless your kiddos are immunocompromised or at severe risks for complications from COVID, wait. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet on Sept 12. We should have clear instructions from them regarding who should get the new booster and when. Please know -- it may be that your kids (and you) do not need a booster this fall. There is a lot of data out there saying that the vaccine is highly effective for individuals who are older and at get risk (think -- cancer patients or individuals with HIV). But there is limited benefit to those of us with healthy immune systems who have received previous versions of the vaccine.
As we near year 4 of our lives with COVID -- the virus is still circulating and evolving. The vaccine has been VERY good at preventing severe illness and death. It is not able to prevent infection -- it just helps your body once it is infected. Young, healthy individuals may not need an annual booster; on the flipside, that may be recommended. A review of the data is needed and the experts need to ask questions and discuss the pros/cons of boosters.
Stay tuned... I'll have updates ready to go as soon as decisions are made!
If you have further questions -- please ask!
Always thoughtful and informative!