With the COVID-19 public health emergency finally over, many Americans have been left wondering whether or not they should continue to get their COVID-19 booster vaccines.
Lynn Bahta, who works in the Minnesota Public Health Department, says certain groups of the population shouldn’t stop getting a regular booster, so they can continue to remain protected from infection and severe illness.
“It’s an important tool for the elderly. For adults who have several health conditions,” Bahta said.
Globally the WHO reports that the number of confirmed cases and deaths caused by the COVID-19 virus has all but bottomed out, though, like with any virus, a return is possible.
Dr. Michael Osterholm, a top epidemiologist in the country out of the University of Minnesota, shared with News Talk 830 WCCO last spring that if it weren’t for the vaccine, he wouldn’t be here right now.
“I am so glad I had five doses of vaccine on board. Because, I believe, honestly, in my heart of hearts and my scientific head that kept me out of the hospital,” Osterholm said. “It kept me from becoming an intensive care unit statistic or, more importantly, even a death statistic.”
Since the release of the vaccine and the emergence of different variants, Osterholm has said that Americans should expect the COVID-19 vaccine to become an annual shot, much like the flu vaccine.
Now, as the world continues to rebound after the virus, and immunity remains up across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to disperse guidelines accordingly, and a new booster could be on the way.
“We probably will see that type of product sometime in the fall, and there will be a recommendation for the vaccination,” she said.
While many are skeptical, Bahta and Ostehrolm agree that the vaccine will stop serious illnesses and life-threatening symptoms from occurring.
“These vaccines do not keep you from getting infected. They do not keep you from transmitting the virus,” Osterholm said. “But, the data are clear and compelling. They have greatly reduced the instances of serious illness, hospitalization, and death.”
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