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A panel of docs and scientists advising the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention voted Wednesday to suggest individuals 65 and over — a gaggle of individuals notably susceptible to the virus — get a second dose of an up to date COVID vaccine that turned accessible final fall.
Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention Director Dr. Mandy Cohen endorsed the advice quickly afterward.
“A further vaccine dose can present added safety which will have decreased over time for these at highest threat,” mentioned Cohen in a press launch.
COVID hospitalizations are far larger amongst seniors than different age teams. The truth is, over the previous 12 months, hospitalization charges amongst these 65 and older have been about 5 occasions larger than those that are between the ages 50 to 64, in keeping with information introduced on the Wednesday assembly of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
“It’s devastating to see what number of aged and immunocompromised are being admitted to the hospital, are within the ICU and dying from COVID,” mentioned Dr. Camille Kotton, a member of the committee.
Credit score: TNS
Credit score: TNS
Getting further COVID photographs can bolster defenses against serious illness, including reducing the risk of hospitalizations, according to the CDC. A further shot may additionally restore a point of safety which can have waned for the reason that dose final fall.
The vaccinations are not known as “boosters” for the reason that components was modified final 12 months and since well being officers need the general public to think about them like a routine vaccine.
However even among the many highest-risk teams, few have chosen to take the newest vaccine. Whereas older individuals can now get a second dose of the up to date COVID vaccine, most haven’t even acquired a single dose of this up to date vaccine, designed to focus on newer variations of this ever-changing virus.
These getting a further dose this spring ought to wait not less than 4 months after the primary dose of the up to date vaccine, in keeping with the CDC.
Kotton known as it “surprising” to see the low uptake of the newest COVID amongst these at highest threat of extreme illness together with older adults and people who are immunocompromised. Kotton was amongst a number of members who made a case for the language of the advice be modified from a softer “could” get the vaccine to a stronger “ought to” get the vaccine to keep away from confusion over whether or not it’s advisable or not.
“I feel we actually want to supply readability on this, and for me, it is a life or dying state of affairs for most of the sufferers I handle,” mentioned Kotton.
Credit score: AP
Credit score: AP
Right here’s a take a look at information for individuals over 65 in Georgia:
COVID vaccination charges: Nationally, 41% of individuals 65 and older took the up to date vaccine because it was launched final 12 months, the very best vaccination price of any age group. That price is way decrease in Georgia, the place about 22% of individuals 65 and older took the shot, in keeping with the Georgia Division of Public Well being.
COVID hospitalizations: Individuals over 60 symbolize the vast majority of COVID hospitalizations, in keeping with the CDC. Every day, a mean of 25 Georgians ages 60 to 69 had been admitted to the hospital for COVID throughout the week ending Feb. 17. For that very same time interval, a mean of 62 individuals aged 70 or older had been admitted every day.
COVID deaths: Because the pandemic started, individuals ages 60 and older made up 81% of the state’s roughly 36,000 COVID deaths, in keeping with the Georgia Division of Public Well being.
