Get Ready: For the First Time, Vaccines for All Three Major Respiratory Viruses are Available This Fall
Key Highlights :
As the fall season approaches, the availability of vaccines for all three of the major respiratory viruses - COVID, RSV and the flu - is a welcome relief. This is the first time all three vaccines have been available at the same time. Although the latest COVID shot was approved just two weeks ago, it is still rolling out and some shipments are beginning to arrive.
Dr. George Morris, medical director of wellness at CentraCare, explains that it may take a few weeks to a month for the vaccine to become available at local pharmacies and clinics. Dr. Kate Hurst, a primary care physician at Hennepin Healthcare, adds that the new vaccine is replacing the original bivalent booster, and that the supply is not yet meeting the demand.
Anyone 6 months and older is encouraged to get the updated shot, especially those in high risk groups including seniors, the immunocompromised, pregnant women, and children. Hurst explains that getting the vaccine is a crucial tool to help the body fight off the virus without significant side effects.
The Minnesota Department of Health has also announced that, for the first time, people may have to pay for the COVID vaccine. Minnesotans with health insurance are encouraged to speak with their provider and check their coverage before scheduling a vaccine appointment.
It is important to stay informed about the availability of the vaccine and to make sure you are taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family. With the vaccines now available, it is an exciting step forward in the fight against the virus.
