Livingston County Health Department provides recommendations for second booster
Recommendations for fighting COVID continue as concerns continue to grow about the possibility of widespread outbreak of the omicron variant BA.2. Among those being made is for those who are immunocompromised.
According to a release from the Livingston County Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control has updated its recommendations for those who are immunocompromised and for those age 50 and older who have received a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine doses come from Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson's. Moderna and Pfizer have a booster with the Pfizer having been recommended highly, even if the original doses received were of the other brands.
The CDC says that for those immunocompromised people and those 50 and older who received an initial booster at least four months ago are eligible for another booster, says the LCHD.
“Separately and in addition, based on newly published data, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA (Moderna or Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine,” the LCHD news release stated. “These updated recommendations acknowledge the increased risk of severe disease in certain populations including those who are elderly or over the age of 50 with multiple underlying conditions.
“Data continues to show the importance of vaccination and booster doses to protect individuals both from infection and severe outcomes of COVID-19. These shots are safe and provide substantial benefit.”
The health department also noted that while some are eligible for the second booster, some might want to wait until fall to get it when they get a flu vaccine.
“With warm weather just around the corner, many people will be gathering outdoors more, reducing their risk of getting the virus and transmitting it to others,” said LCHD Administrator Jackie Dever. “Waiting until fall to get your booster may be best for some individuals so that they receive the greatest protection from their booster heading into cold and flu season.”
According to the Illinois Department of Health, Livingston County had 10 new COVID cases reported last week after a week of 12 new cases. Overall in Illinois, there have been 3,076,628 cases of COVID reported since the pandemic began. Livingston County has had 10,690 cases overall.
A USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows Illinois ranked 14th among the states where coronavirus was spreading the fastest on a per-person basis, through last weekend.
Illinois ranked 21st among states in share of people receiving at least one shot, with 76.4% of its residents at least partially vaccinated. The national rate is 77%, a USA TODAY analysis of CDC data shows. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which are the most used in the United States, require two doses administered a few weeks apart.
The Livingston County Health Department COVID vaccination clinic hours are every Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and open to all those eligible to receive the vaccine, with a legal guardian required to accompany all minors. Appointments are strongly encouraged and available on their website www.lchd.us.
The health department states that in order to keep COVID-19 community levels low, it is imperative that individuals take action to protect themselves and others, including vaccination. Vaccination continues to be the best form of protection in the fight against COVID-19.
Families may visit the LCHD (310 E Torrance Ave, Pontiac) for not only free COVID-19 vaccinations, but many other supportive public health services. More information is available on their website at www.lchd.us.
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: LCHD provides recommendations for second COVID booster
