Boosters For the COVID-19 Vaccine
Boosters for the COVID-19 vaccine are now available for kids as young as five years old. This is great news for families, but there are also concerns about the side effects of the vaccine. It may cause fertility problems and increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
Case counts increase in SLO County
During the past two weeks, San Luis Obispo County has seen a significant increase in COVID-19 cases. In total, there are now 342 confirmed COVID-19 cases in SLO County. These numbers are likely undercounting the actual disease incidence in the County.
County Health Officers are now restricting non-essential personnel from some licensed residential facilities. The Health Officer may take criminal or civil action if non-essential personnel are not kept away. In addition, the County Health Officer has restricted visitors from hospitals.
The County Public Health Department has been increasing its testing capacity. A new no-cost COVID-19 testing site will be opened in South County on September 13. In addition, a new free COVID-19 testing clinic will be held in Oceano next week.
The County Public Health Department will be expanding its contact tracing team to 24 people. These people will be available to track down individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.
COVID-19 deaths spiked among Americans 65 and older
Despite the latest uptick in COVID-19 cases, a new survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that Americans have not changed their behavior in the face of the virus. However, public health data suggests that the number of COVID related deaths has risen slightly. This is largely due to a higher incidence of masking among vaccinated people.
While Americans are more worried about getting sick and dying, they also have a heightened concern about spreading the virus to others. More than three quarters of Americans say that they would stop gatherings outside of their home if they suspected someone was infected with COVID-19. However, fewer than one in five unvaccinated Americans would alter their behaviors to prevent exposure.
More than half of the respondents who knew about the newer COVID-19 strain say they are concerned about the virus. However, one in three say they had the disease at least once in their lives.
COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing hospitalization and death
Currently available COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing hospitalization and death, but not for everyone. In fact, studies have shown that the COVID-19 vaccine is less effective in immunocompromised patients than in the general population.
In a study of over 1 million vaccinated people, vaccine effectiveness estimates were 83 to 87 percent for those aged 18 to 49 years and 74 to 86 percent for those aged 50 to 64 years. The effectiveness of the vaccine was similar in those aged 65 to 74 years.
In addition, the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine was greater in patients with an existing history of a previous infection. The study also showed that vaccination is associated with a greater likelihood of symptom improvement. However, the overall risk of a severe disease remains relatively low.
Boosters are now available to kids as young as 5
During the past month, 13 million to 15 million Americans have received an updated COVID-19 booster shot. Children ages 5 to 11 are now eligible for the shot. The new vaccine targets a variety of omicron variants, including BA.4 and BA.5, which account for about 80 percent of the circulating virus.
The new booster shot comes from Pfizer. The company is working on the vaccine with its partner, BioNTech. Previously, the shot was approved for adults 12 years and older. However, the FDA amended its emergency use authorization to include children ages 5 to 11.
The vaccines are now available for children ages six months to 17 years. They are designed to increase antibody levels against the most common variants of the virus. Unlike the first generation of booster shots, which only targeted the omicron variant, the new ones target a range of omicron variants.
Boosters could impair fertility and increase risk of ovarian cancer
Boosters are still a thing, and there are more than a few good ones out there. Booster best practices include a little red tape, and a little bit of luck. If the above guidelines are adhered to, you are sure to reap the rewards. As for the actual cost, if you have the funds and a good physician, you should be able to shell out some cash for the good stuff.
Boosters are a perk, but the rewards are well worth it. Boosters are the best way to ensure a happy and healthy baby. A good fertility specialist will help you out with the paperwork, and they are also a great source of fun. The cost of a good fertility specialist is not much, especially if you have the money to spare.
