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LANSING – The advice is simple, coming straight from the top health agency in the nation: Get your COVID vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is suggesting everyone 6 months and older get their flu and COVID-19 vaccination before the full hibernating state of winter.
“Staying up to date with vaccines against flu and COVID-19 … protects you from severe disease, hospitalization, and death,” the agency said in a late September update.
It’s advice repeated by Dr. Adenike Shoyinka, the medical health officer at the Ingham County Health Department.
“While the COVID-19 pandemic might not be dominating the news cycle anymore, the virus has not gone away,” she wrote recently. “COVID-19 cases spiked nationwide this summer, and the winter months promise further elevated numbers.
“While the severity of COVID-19 outcomes has decreased since the pandemic’s peak in 2020 and 2021, it still has contributed to numerous deaths in the state in 2024. Since the pathogen continues to mutate, it’s a good idea to stay up-to-date with the latest vaccines.Here’s some guidance as you and your family try to stay healthy during the oncoming threats of snow, ice and cold.
How concerned should we be?
Over the summer, the CDC showed that nearly half of the United States had reported “very high” levels of COVID-19 activity.
In Michigan, COVID infections reached their highest mark since June 1 when more than 5,200 infections were reported the week ending Sept. 4, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Cases, at least those reported, have slowed since, with 1,870 illnesses recorded for the week ending Oct. 5, with 13 deaths from COVID that week.
What is the dominant strain of COVID in the US?
In September, COVID-19 variant KP.3.1.1 was the dominant strain accounting for more than half of positive infections in the U.S., according to recent CDC projections.
Between Sept. 1 and Sept. 14, 52.7% of positive infections were of the KP.3.1.1 strain, followed by KP.2.3 at 12.2%, according to the agency’s Nowcast data tracker, which displays COVID-19 estimates and projections for two-week periods.
KP.3.1.1 first became the dominant strain in the two-week period starting on July 21st and ending on Aug. 3.
“The KP.3.1.1 variant is very similar to other circulating variants in the United States. All current lineages are descendants of JN.1, which emerged in late 2023,” Norman previously told USA TODAY.
Why get a shot?
“The COVID-19 vaccine does not completely prevent you from getting sick, but it does lower the chance of getting seriously ill or developing ‘long COVID,'” Shoyinka said.
CDC officials confirm vaccines minimize the chances of hospitalization and death.
Who’s particularly vulnerable?
The CDC said in September the following groups especially need to get the 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine.
- Those at least 65-years of age.
- People coping with underlying medical conditions, including those immunocompromised.
- Populations living in long-term care facilities.
- Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or might become pregnant as a means of protecting themselves and their infants.
Where do you get vaccinated?
The Ingham County Health Department, Barry-Eaton Health Department and Mid-Michigan Health Department in Clinton County are scheduling flu and COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Pharmacies at chain stores like Walgreens and Walmart also offer vaccines.
You may want to check on the vaccination’s cost. Ingham County Health Department is charging adults without insurance $148 for a COVID vaccination, according to its website. A flu shot can cost up to $87 for those without insurance.
I don’t support COVID vaccines. What can I do?
Don’t forget these recommendations straight from the CDC: Practice good hygiene. Opt for cleaner air by opening windows to fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors. When sick, prevent contagion by staying home and away from others if you have respiratory symptoms. Seek treatment and testing soon after your symptoms begin.
Do you need a reminder?
COVID-19 symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
The CDC said you should seek medical attention if you have the following symptoms:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds
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