WASHINGTON (AP) — Fall means it’s time for just about everybody to get up to date on their flu and COVID-19 vaccines – and a lot of older adults also need protection against another risky winter virus, RSV. Yes, you can get your at the same time. Don’t call them boosters — they’re not just another dose of last year’s protection.
The coronavirus and influenza are escape artists that constantly mutate to evade your body’s immune defenses, so both vaccines are annually to target newer strains. While they’re not , vaccinations are the best bet for avoiding a bad case of flu or COVID-19 this winter. “It may not prevent every infection but those infections are going to be less severe,” said Dr.
Demetre Daskalakis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “I would rather have my grandmother or my great-grandmother have a sniffle than have to go to the emergency room on Thanksgiving.” The challenge: Getting more Americans to roll up their sleeves.
Last year, just 45% of adults got a flu vaccination and even fewer, 23%, got a COVID-19 shot. A survey released Wednesday by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases shows an equally low number intend to this fall. And the coronavirus still killed more Americans than flu last year.
“Maybe we believe that it’s not going to be me but let’s not take a chance,” said Dr. Michael Knight of George Washington University. “Why not get a vaccine that’s going to help you reduce that risk?” Who ne.