COVID Boosters

Emilio Calderon

March 2022

Although many aspects of life have returned to ‘the new normal’ it is important to remember that we are still living through a pandemic. The curve may be flattening (yay!) but we must still be ever cautious with COVID. With the new Omicron Variant possibly bringing a new age of COVID, keeping yourself safe from the virus is now at its utmost importance.

Cases

While cases have shown some promise in recent weeks (not all data for the past 17 days has been reported) as the OHA Epidemic Case Curve shows a steady decline in cases in the past few weeks, it is not time to quite give up on this pandemic. With the still deadly Delta Variant and growing concern over the Omicron Variant, the pandemic is far from over. And one of the best ways to do so is getting vaccinated.

Vaccinations and Booster Shots

In Oregon, 62% of the population has been fully vaccinated (two weeks after getting two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one dose of the J&J vaccine), with 72.9% of the population over 18 being fully vaccinated. However, this now raises the question: whats next?

1. If you are not yet vaccinated your first step should be getting your first or second dose! Remember that for people over 5 but under 18, the Pfizer vaccine is their only option right now. And despite 5-11 year olds getting a smaller dose it has the same level of effectiveness against the virus. Fortunately, both Oregon and the CDC have vaccine finder websites to help people who need to make a vaccination appointment.

2. If you are fully vaccinated, remember this does not make you immune from the virus. While vaccines do provide protection from COVID and intense reactions to the virus. It is still best to social distance and wear a mask to stay safe from infection. The World Health Organization has a great article explain vaccine efficacy, effectiveness, and protection and the CDC has an article on life being fully vaccinated if you are interested in learning more!

3. Now in the United States, those 18 and older are eligible to receive a ‘booster’ shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. A booster shot is an additional third dose of a COVID vaccine to keep the body’s immune system strong against the virus. Think of it like how flu shots are available every year to fight the flu, however, the booster shot is using the same formula used in current vaccines.

   • However, it is important to wait to get your booster until six months after your second dose for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine or two months after your dose of the J&J vaccine. It is also important to note that “you may choose which COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster shot” according to the CDC (COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots). You can schedule an appointment with either a location near you, or find one using Oregon’s or the CDC’s have vaccine appointment website.

   • When going to your booster appointment, remember to bring your vaccination card so it can be updated with the info for your booster shot.

Moving Forward

Like always, it is important to socially distance, stay masked, and get vaccinated! The only difference now is that we now can get booster shots to keep our immune systems strong against the virus. While changes in the virus like the Delta and Omicron Variant are ongoing, the end of the pandemic can be just around the corner if we all follow proper COVID protocols. Stay safe and stay healthy!

Bibliography

“Boosters Recommended for All Three Covid-19 Vaccines.” Samaritan Heath Services, 25 Oct. 2021, www.samhealth.org/about-samaritan/news-search/2021/10/25/boosters-recommended-for-all-three-covid-19-vaccines-for-qualified-groups.

“Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Shots.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 Nov. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html.

“Find a COVID-19 Vaccine in Oregon : Oregon Health Authority.” NIC GovStatus - Emergency Response Solution, https://govstatus.egov.com/find-covid-19-vaccine.

“Find COVID-19 Vaccine Locations near You.” Vaccines.gov, https://www.vaccines.gov/search/.

Oregon COVID-19 Case and Testing Counts Statewide. Oregon Health Authority, https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/oregon.health.authority.covid.19/viz/OregonHealthAuthorityCOVID-19DataDashboard/COVID-19EPICases.

“Oregon COVID-19 Vaccine Effort Metrics.” Tableau Public, Oregon Health Authority, 30 Nov. 2021, https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/oregon.health.authority.covid.19/viz/OregonCOVID-19VaccineEffortMetrics/StatewideProgress.

“Vaccine Efficacy, Effectiveness and Protection.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/vaccine-efficacy-effectiveness-and-protection.

“When You've Been Fully Vaccinated.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 Oct. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html.