[ad_1]
ASHLAND Local health officials are awaiting word from the Centers for Disease Control about details of the latest COVID-19 vaccine.
Matt Anderson, public health director and emergency preparedness coordinator at Ashland-Boyd County Health Department, said he hasn’t received any updates, but the health department has requested doses.
“I don’t have an estimated ship or arrival date,” Anderson said. “We did start giving seasonal flu vaccines on Monday. People can call (606) 324-7181 to schedule a same-day appointment.”
The new vaccine will be available at pharmacies, health centers and some doctor offices. Locations will be listed on the government’s vaccines.gov website.
The list price of a dose of each shot is $120 to $130, according to the manufacturers. But federal officials said the new COVID-19 shots still will be free to most Americans through private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. For the uninsured or underinsured, the CDC is working with health departments, clinics and certain pharmacies to temporarily provide free shots.
Health officials recommend those six months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccination.
While the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic has faded, thousands remain hospitalized and hundreds continue dying each week in the United States. Hospitalizations have been increasing since late summer, though the latest data indicate infections may be starting to level off, particularly in the South.
Doctors hope enough people get vaccinated to help avert another “tripledemic” like last year when hospitals were overwhelmed with an early flu season, an onslaught of RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, and yet another winter coronavirus surge.
The updated vaccine is expected to be effective against the most recent strains.
The CDC said there is no difference in effectiveness or side effects if people get those vaccines simultaneously, although one in each arm might be more comfortable. The CDC urges a yearly flu shot for most ages 6 months and older. The best time is by the end of October.
The Associated Press contributed information to this story.
[ad_2]
Source link
