State urges all eligible to get new Bivalent booster

Sep. 6—With 90 counties in the state at an elevated level for COVID-19, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging all who are eligible to take advantage of the new bivalent booster shots that have been authorized by the CDC. IDPH is reporting 26,127 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 70 deaths since August 26.

"Once the updated booster shots become available, I urge everyone in Illinois who is eligible to take advantage of the opportunity to get fully protected before we enter the fall season," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra in a press release. "These new bivalent vaccines are designed to offer extra protection against the omicron variants which are now the dominant strain of the virus. Getting up to date now is especially important for those who are at risk of serious outcomes as the updated vaccines offer protection from hospitalization and even death."

Vermilion County is operating under the high transmission status for COVID-19, meaning the number of cases of COVID-19 are up in recent weeks. Since the pandemic began in the spring of 2020, 300 Vermilion County residents have died of the disease.

Last week, the FDA granted emergency use authorization for two new bivalent booster vaccines that include an mRNA component of the original strain to provide an immune response that is broadly protective against COVID-19 and an added mRNA component in common between the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5 lineages to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant.

The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, is authorized for use as a single booster dose in individuals 18 years of age and older. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent, is authorized for use as a single booster dose in individuals 12 years of age and older.

IDPH expects to receive 580,000 doses of the new bivalent vaccines for distribution in the next week. This is in addition to 150,000 doses designated for the City of Chicago. The updated boosters will be available at pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. The best way to locate a vaccine provider near you is to go to www.vaccines.gov and search for bivalent booster availability.

According to the CDC, 30 Illinois counties, including Vermilion, are now rated at High Community Level for COVID-19. An additional 60 counties in Illinois are now rated at Medium Community Level.

Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,696,385 cases, including 34,747 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois since the beginning of the pandemic.

The CDC recommends the following measures for people in areas that are rated at High Community Level for COVID-19 transmission:

—Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status (including in K-12 schools and other indoor community settings).

—If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease, wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection. Consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed.

—Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to take other precautions.

—Have a plan for rapid testing if needed (e.g., having home tests or access to testing).

—If you test positive, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals, and monoclonal antibodies.

—If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease consider self-testing to detect infection before contact consider wearing a mask when indoors with them.

—Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters

—Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible.

—Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19.

Vaccination remain the key to ending the pandemic, officials said. To find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you, go to www.vaccines.gov.