The omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading quickly throughout Tennessee. Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is also seeing a lot of flu and other winter illness.
These infections are putting pressure on hospitals and clinics as more people need testing and care, and health care workers also become sick and must isolate. It is critically important to protect yourself against the winter surge of illness by getting vaccinated or "boosted" for COVID-19 and vaccinated for the flu.
The booster is a critical defense protection against the omicron variant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends boosters be given:
- Five months after the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine
- Five months after the second dose of the Moderna vaccine
- Two months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
On Wednesday, Jan. 5, the CDC authorized booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 to 17, pointing to rising infections in teens and young adults and an increase in pediatric hospitalizations, said the New York Times. Adolescents ages 16 and older were already permitted to receive Pfizer booster shots.
Why Boosters Are Important
Because of the rise of new COVID-19 variants and some waning of protection against any infection, boosters are needed to help stop the spread. "Thankfully, boosters are still working remarkably well against getting really sick if you get COVID," said VUMC Chief Hospital Epidemiologist Tom Talbot, MD.
"The goal is not to eliminate any COVID infection—the goal is to make the illness a milder infection that doesn't send a large number to the hospital or result in death," he continued. "We still have a large chunk of unvaccinated people who remain at risk of getting very sick and dying from this virus. Having boosters in part is helping those folks not get exposed, but we really need to get them protected through vaccination."
To protect themselves and keep the community safe from the highly contagious omicron variant, VUMC's workforce is required to get boosters before the end of January.
Information on COVID-19 Vaccines and Testing
VUMC is following public health guidelines for giving COVID-19 vaccines. This includes vaccines for ages 5 and older, boosters and additional doses for immune-compromised individuals. Visit these links for more information on vaccination and testing:
- Vaccine information for patients of all ages
- Guidance about COVID testing for public and patients
Other Ways to Reduce the Spread of Winter Illness
- Take the proven precautions. Wear masks in public indoor settings. Keep a good "social distance" of at least 6 feet from others. Wash your hands well and often.
- Ask your doctor, nurse practitioner or other health care provider if your upcoming routine clinic visit can be done using a secure telehealth visit.