Janice R. Andrews
As we move into the cooler months, COVID-19 is still a worry. Infection rates have gone down since the summer, but a new strain is starting to appear, which could lead to outbreaks in the winter. This fall, it’s important to stay up to date on how to protect yourself since there is a new vaccine and rules are changing.
Is the Summer Surge over?
The number of COVID cases went up this summer, but they are now starting to go down. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that 20% of COVID tests were positive in the middle of August. That number had dropped to just under 15% by the beginning of September.
Even though COVID trends are still hard to predict, experts think that outbreaks may slow down in the fall and then start up again in early winter. Dr. Mark Sawyer, an expert in juvenile infectious diseases at the University of California, San Diego, says that the virus might behave like it did in previous years, with more cases during the winter months and during travel times around the holidays.
The New Type: XEC
This fall, scientists are paying close attention to a new type of COVID called “XEC.” XEC was first found in Germany and Denmark in June. As of early September, 23 cases had been recorded in the U.S., so it seems to be spreading. Some virus experts, like Dr. Davey Smith from UC San Diego, think that this variation could help cause the expected winter wave.
XEC is made up of two different types, KP.3.3 and KS.1.1, which are both related to the Omicron family. The signs of XEC aren’t very different from those of its predecessors, but its rise shows that COVID is still changing and testing our immune systems.
What about the new vaccine? Will it protect against XEC?
It is thought that the new COVID vaccine will protect against versions like XEC better than older vaccines, but experts warn that the virus is always changing. So, it’s still not clear how well the vaccine works against certain types.
Still, the new vaccine is an important extra layer of defense, especially since the virus is still changing. The head of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, Dr. Eric Topol, says that getting vaccinated is still the best way to lower your chance of getting a serious sickness, even though XEC is different from the strain that was used to make the vaccine.
When should you get a shot?
When you get your COVID shot depends on your health and other factors unique to you. Experts say that people who are at a high risk, like those over 60 or who already have health problems, should get vaccinations as soon as possible. Dr. Sawyer says that waiting to vaccinate this group could make them more likely to get a serious infection.
Some people disagree on when healthy people should get the shot. If you just got over COVID, you might want to wait three months because the infection has already made your immune system stronger. Like the vaccine, Dr. Smith says that the real sickness can act as a natural booster and make your immune system stronger.
In the end, the CDC says that everyone over the age of six months should get a shot. Getting shot ahead of time could give you extra protection if you are going to travel or go to a big event.
Are COVID shots still free?
The way people can get free COVID shots has changed. At the end of August, the U.S. government stopped the “Bridge Program,” which gave free shots to people who didn’t have health insurance. People who don’t have health insurance may now have to pay up to $200 for a shot. However, the Vaccines for Children program still lets kids get shots for free.
A lot of health insurance companies, like Medicare and Medicaid, will pay for the shot. Vaccinations may also be available at some community health centers and city health offices for little or no cost.
What to Do This Fall If You Get Sick
The CDC says that if you get COVID-19, you should stay away from other people until 24 hours after your fever goes away and your symptoms get better. Even though rules about being alone have been loosened, Dr. Smith still says that if you test positive, you should stay home to protect people in your group who are weak, like the elderly or people with long-term illnesses.
Testing is still very important, especially for people who are very likely to get a serious disease. The U.S. government is once again giving away free COVID tests. If the test comes back positive, people who are at high risk may be able to talk to their doctor about treatments like Paxlovid, which can make symptoms less severe.
Getting ready for COVID this fall
Since COVID is always changing, it’s important to stay aware and ready. This fall and winter, getting vaccinations, learning about new COVID strains, or dealing with a COVID diagnosis can all be safer if you follow the advice of experts.
You can help keep your health and community safe from COVID-19 by being careful about getting vaccinated, getting tested, and taking other precautions.
