Category: Flu Vaccine

Despite the risk of flu and flu-related complications each year, millions of Americans still do not get their flu shot annually. ANA is urging everyone to follow the scientific evidence supporting flu vaccination and the guidance of nurses and health care professionals. All people eligible should get their flu vaccination and encourage their loved ones to do the same.

"The flu shot is more vital now than ever to help protect ourselves and our communities against the flu and its related complications. We are still working to manage COVID-19 while facing other emerging viral threats to public health," said ANA President Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN. "Each one of us has to do our own part. The best way to help reduce the burden of flu on the health care system7 is to get your flu vaccine as recommended by your nurses and the CDC.8 Everyone eligible, including nurses and health care professionals, should get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible."

The United States may face a resurgence of the flu this upcoming season, and there is an unprecedented risk of possible severe COVID-19 and flu co-infections due to low immunity against influenza and the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.3,9 Flu can lead to potentially life-threatening complications, including pneumonia or serious heart conditions.8 Not Today, Flu is launching to drive awareness around the importance of flu vaccination and the urgency to vaccinate as many people as possible to help protect against flu and flu-related complications. Between 2010-2020, flu infections caused more hospitalizations and deaths annually than any other virus on the planet, with as many as 810,000 hospitalizations and 61,000 deaths during this 10-year period.10

"Every day, things come up that you have no control over, and they can really ruin your plans the flights getting cancelled, deliveries not arriving, your computer freezes, it rains. It can all make you just a little crazy. So, when there's something I can do to help take back control, I do. Like getting the flu shot," said Jason Alexander. "It can help protect people from getting sick with the flu and suffering from flu-related complications.9 That's why I'm delighted to be part of the Not Today, Flu campaign. It empowers people to help protect themselves and their loved ones by getting their flu shot. I've been getting it for over 20 years and I intend to keep getting it each year."

Visit NotTodayFlu.com to learn more about the importance of flu vaccination, especially for adults over age 50, underrepresented communities with historically lower rates of flu vaccination6, and those with chronic health conditions, and discover where you can schedule a flu shot where you work or live. Share your support by utilizing #NotTodayFlu on your social channels.

About The American Nurses AssociationThe American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's 4.3 million registered nurses. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on healthcare issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of healthcare for all. For more information, visit nursingworld.org.

About Sanofi We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.

About Jason AlexanderBest known for his award-winning role as George Costanza of television's Seinfeld, Jason Alexander has achieved international recognition for a career noted for its extraordinary diversity. He has worked extensively as a writer, composer, director, producer and teacher of acting. He has well-known roles in such shows as"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,""Two and a Half Men"and"Curb Your Enthusiasm,"and in films"Pretty Woman,""Jacob's Ladder"and"Love Valor Compassion."On Broadway, hewon aTony Awardfor hisperformance in"Jerome Robbin's Broadway,"and starred in "Fish in the Dark"and"The Portuguese Kid," among others.After moving to LA, Jason continued working in the theater, notably serving as the artistic director for the Reprise Theatre Companyand starring in "The Producers."

1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm. Accessed September 2022.2Australian Government Department of Health. Australian Influenza Surveillance Report 2022 Influenza Season in Australia. Available at: https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-surveil-ozflu-flucurr.htm. Accessed September 2022.3 Dhanasekaran, V., Sullivan, S., Edwards, K.M. et al. Human seasonal influenza under COVID-19 and the potential consequences of influenza lineage elimination. Nat Commun 13, 1721 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-29402-5. Accessed September 2022.4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Estimated Flu-Related Illnesses, Medical visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths in the United States 20192020 Flu Season. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2019-2020.html. Accessed September 2022.5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People at Higher Risk of Flu Complications. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm. Accessed September 2022.6Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu Disparities Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/disparities-racial-ethnic-minority-groups.html. Accessed September 2022.7 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventive Steps. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/prevention.htm. Accessed September 2022.8 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccination. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm. Accessed September 2022.9 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Interim Guidance for Routine and Influenza Immunization Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pandemic-guidance/index.html. Accessed September 2022.10 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Past Seasons Estimated Influenza Disease Burden. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/past-seasons.html. Accessed September 2022.

Media Contact:Keziah Proctor301-628-5197[emailprotected]

SOURCE American Nurses Association

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Actor Jason Alexander and American Nurses Association Encourage People Across the Country to Get their Flu Shot to Help Protect Against Flu and its...

The recent monkeypox outbreaks are a growing worldwide health concern. The illness can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Some groups, such as children or people who are immunocompromised, are more at risk for complications.

A new study published in Viruses found that vaccines based on the vaccinia virus (VACV) will likely produce an effective response against the current monkeypox virus.

Two of these vaccines that are available are the MVA-BN and ACAM2000 vaccines.

Before 2022, monkeypox was very rare outside Africa, but there have been recent outbreaks of the illness worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note, monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus. This virus is similar to the virus that causes smallpox.

Monkeypox spreads through close or intimate contact with someone who has monkeypox. It can also spread through contact with surfaces used by someone with monkeypox.

People with monkeypox can experience several symptoms. For example, they may have a rash in the genital areas or other body parts, as recent research has found.

They can also experience flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches, fever, chills, and congestion. Most people are not at risk for severe illness from the monkeypox virus.

It typically takes a few weeks to recover fully. However, some people, such as those who are immunocompromised, may become more seriously ill.

Currently, there are a few vaccines that can be utilized to help protect those who are most at risk for developing monkeypox. However, the full effectiveness of these vaccines is unknown.

Researchers in the current study examined the potential effectiveness of a few vaccines that can be utilized against monkeypox. Specifically, these vaccines are based on the vaccinia virus and were first developed against smallpox.

They note that the current monkeypox virus has different genetic variations compared with variants that experts have observed in the past. These variations might impact the efficacy of available vaccines.

The researchers utilized 513 monkeypox complete genome sequences in their research as well as immunological data to predict the potential immune response and vaccine effectiveness against monkeypox.

The results suggest that currently available vaccines, including the MVA-BN and ACAM2000 vaccines, will likely produce an effective immune response to monkeypox.

In the study paper, the authors write that they report data that anticipates immune responses induced by VACV-based vaccines, including the currently available MVA-BN and ACAM2000 vaccines, to remain highly cross-reactive against the newly observed monkeypox viruses.

Dr. Arturo Casadevall, an infectious disease expert at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, who was not involved in this research, explained the study concept:

It is an analysis of 513 monkeypox sequences using computer algorithms to infer likely immunological cross-reactivity, and they deduce that the available vaccinia virus vaccine has a high likelihood of protecting against those strains. Overall the results are reassuring and consistent with what is known.

There were several limitations to the study. First, based on the methods used, there will need to be experimental studies that confirm the findings. Further data may also differ when it comes to the T-cell response.

Dr. Casadevall noted the following limitations of the study as well:

As the authors acknowledge in the paper, one limitation of this study is that it is all sequence analysis without concomitant immunological assays. Note that the authors use the word expected in the title. Hence, while the results are reassuring, one would need additional immunological studies and/ or clinical evidence to be more confident that vaccinia virus vaccines protect against all strains of monkeypox.

Currently, the CDC only recommends vaccination for certain at-risk people and groups rather than a broader vaccination rollout. For example, they suggest that those who have been in close contact with someone with monkeypox receive a vaccine.

These recommendations could change as more data emerge about vaccine effectiveness and who is at risk of infection. Vaccines may be available through local health departments, public clinics, and hospitals.

However, the data from this study are encouraging because they indicate that currently available vaccines will elicit an adequate response.

Study authors Prof. Matthew McKay and Dr. Ahmed Abdul Quadeer noted the following to Medical News Today:

Our data further supports the use of the vaccines that are being recommended globally for combatting the emerging monkeypox outbreak. Clinical evaluations that determine the precise efficacy are still required.

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Monkeypox: Currently available vaccines will likely be effective - Medical News Today

From updated COVID boosters to confusion about monkeypox vaccine eligibility, important vaccine updates have been top of mind this summer. But experts say theres one immunization you shouldnt forget to book as fall approaches: your flu shot. Its important to get the flu vaccine every year, but it should be an even higher priority for the 2022-2023 flu season, Thomas Russo, MD, an infectious disease expert at the University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, tells SELF.

Thats because data from Australias flu season, which starts to wane just as flu season ramps up in the US, is raising some concerns among infectious disease experts. We look at Australia to predict our flu season. And this year, they had a horrific flu season, Kenneth Koncilja, MD, an internal medicine and geriatrics specialist at Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF. The season peaked two months earlier than normal and with worse intensity.

Last seasons lower numbers, both in Australia and in the US, are likely a success story of all the COVID precautions we took, like masking and social distancing, which are measures that help protect against any respiratory illness, including cold and flu, Dr. Russo says.

But as COVID restrictions were lifted globally, influenza once again reared its ugly head. People are traveling, interacting without masks, Dr. Russo points out. Thats why experts fear a rise in cases may also unfold in the US this year.

So this isnt the time to pass on your flu vaccineespecially if you face a higher risk of severe illness (or plan on visiting someone who is vulnerable, like your grandparents or a pregnant friend, as you enjoy the holidays). But when should you get your flu shot, anyway? Heres what you need to know, including when flu season begins and the best time to schedule your appointment.

Influenza viruses are detected year-round, but cases tend to spike during the fall and winter months in the US. The exact timing of flu season varies from year to year, per the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), but flu activity (read: when the germs start spreading) usually starts to increase in October and peaks sometime between December and February. That said, significant activity may still be recorded as late as May.

The CDC recommends the flu shot for everyone six months or older; you can get vaccinated as early as September, and you ideally shouldnt wait past October, per the CDC. Theres a reason youre supposed to get your vaccine before flu season is in full swing; It takes a couple of weeks [for the vaccine] to kick in, Dr. Russo says. That means your body generally needs about two weeks to develop flu-fighting antibodies after your vaccinationso youre not protected right after your appointment.

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When Should You Get Your Flu Shot for the 2022-2023 Season? - Self

Specifically, vaccinated individuals were found to be about 12% less susceptible to ischemic stroke, reports HealthDay News. However, this relationship was not observed in patients receiving the pneumococcal vaccine. While one might think this indicates something uniquely special about the flu vaccine, researchers acknowledged that it could not be deemed the definitive cause for these outcomes. Senior researcher Dr. Francisco Jose de Abajo elaborated while speaking to HealthDay News those who opt to receive the flu vaccine may also engage in other healthy behaviors, such as regular exercise or taking prescribed medications to keep their blood pressure regulated. These can all potentially lower the risk of stroke.

Even so, the study team believes its findings may point to another potential way to reduce our risk of stroke. "The flu shot is not 100% effective, but it's pretty darn good," co-author of the study, Dr. Mitchell Elkind, stated via HealthDay. Dr. De Abajo expressed similar sentiments and hopes that continued research will highlight how flu vaccines can support our overall health.

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Getting An Annual Flu Shot May Offer This Unexpected Health Benefit - Health Digest

The Putnam County Health Department is preparing for flu season by once again offering clinics for those interested in receiving the seasonal flu vaccine.

The Quadrivalent flu vaccine, which protects against two influenza A strains and both B strains, is available to residents 6 months to 64 years of age.

The High Dose flu vaccine will be available for those 65 years of age and older.

High Dose flu vaccine is also a quadrivalent vaccine to protect against four strains of the flu virus.

Flu Mist is also available this year for those that are healthy and between the ages of 2 and 49 years.

The Putnam County Health Department bills most major insurance companies for vaccines, including Medicare and Medicaid, so there may not be any cost to you to receive the vaccine at the time of service.

If paying at the time of service because your insurance doesnt cover the vaccine, or you have no insurance, the cost for the flu shot is $10 for those 18 years and younger, and $35 for those 19 years and above.

There is a limited amount of free vaccine available for those with no insurance and are unable to pay. The high-dose vaccine cost is $77, which is usually covered by Medicare.

The seasonal influenza vaccine will be offered by the Putnam County Health Department at various clinic locations throughout the county.

No appointments are necessary at the clinics.

People who prefer to have an appointment should call the Putnam County Health Department at 419-523-5608 to schedule.

It is also recommended to make an appointment at the health department for young children who need a flu vaccine and who may be better served in the office setting.

The influenza vaccination clinics that are open to the public include:

September 26, 9:00 11:30 am and 1:00 3:30 pm at the Ottawa Senior Center (1035 E. Third Street, Ottawa)

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Putnam County Health Department Offering Flu Vaccine - 1330 WFIN

DECATUR, Ga. Fall Festival season, football season, Pumpkin Spice season thats just a sample of seasons that were entering. DeKalb health officials want to make sure another season is top of mind for everyone flu season.

To that end, the DeKalb County Board of Health is hosting a drive-thru flu vaccination event on Sat., Sept. 17, from 8:00 a.m. until noon, at Dunwoody High School.

This event is focused on adults aged 18 and older, seniors aged 65 and older who may need a high-dose vaccine for added protection, individuals who are immunocompromised or have chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease), and pregnant women. Pediatric flu vaccines will be given at our regional health center locations during regular business hours.

All patients should bring their insurance information and photo ID. Flu shots are available at no cost with most private insurance and Medicare. The Board of Health accepts Aetna, Amerigroup, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Cigna, Medicaid, Medicare Part B, Peach State Health Plan (including PeachCare for Kids), and State Health Benefit Plan (excluding Kaiser Permanente). If you are not insured or your plan doesnt cover the flu shot, its available for a low cost. Cash, checks drawn on banks with branch locations in Georgia, and credit/debit cards are accepted. Other insurances may be accepted, but you are asked to call ahead to verify acceptance.

After this event, flu shots will be available on an appointment and walk-in basis Monday through Friday between 8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays recognized by the State of Georgia, at the following regional health center locations:

For more information about the flu or the DeKalb County Board of Healths immunization programs, including onsite worksite or community flu clinics, visit dekalbhealth.net/flu or call 404-294-3700.

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Board of Health to Host Drive-Thru Flu Vaccine Event in Dunwoody on Sept. 17 - DeKalb County Board of Health

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Global Influenza Vaccine Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global Influenza Vaccine market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.35% over the forecast period to reach a market size of US$6.017 billion in 2027 from US$4.177 billion in 2020.

Introduction

Influenza is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system and is caused by the flu virus. The influenza virus is infectious and spreads by respiratory droplets. It can also be passed from one person to another through conversation or physical touch. The influenza virus is constantly spreading, resulting in regional epidemics and outbreaks that kill thousands of people. Healthcare organisations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) around the world are using vaccines like baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza) to treat the flu caused by the influenza virus. The rising prevalence of Sars-cov-2 across the globe and the rising investments in research and development to develop a vaccine that can fight against the COVID-19 virus are expected to drive the influenza vaccine market during the forecast period. According to the World Health Organization, annual influenza epidemics are estimated to severely affect 3-5 million people and cause 290k to 650k respiratory deaths. The growing geriatric population across the globe is also expected to increase the demand for influenza vaccines as people aged over 60 years are at greater risk of severe disease or health complications caused by the influenza virus.

Market Trends

Diabetes, cancer, anemia, obesity, immune deficiencies, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), metabolic diseases, kidney disease, neurological disorders, and chronic heart and lung disorders like bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis, and asthma are all increasing the risk of contracting influenza. This is a significant role in the market's expansion.

Furthermore, children under the age of five are at a higher risk of developing complications such as high fever, seizures, and pneumonia. This, together with increased parental concerns about their children's health, is impacting influenza vaccine demand in a good way. Growing awareness about the medication and prevention of influenza and an increasing number of government initiatives will further drive the growth of the market in the coming years.

Growth Factor

The rising prevalence of influenza and the growing influenza vaccination drive

The centre for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated the number of people who fall ill because of the flu and calculated that around 9 to 41 million people were severely ill because of the flu caused by the influenza virus. About 140,000 - 710,000 people were hospitalised due to health-related complications caused by the influenza virus, and 12,000 - 52,000 deaths occured annually between 2010 and 2020.

The increasing global demand for coupled inductors has led to the entry of several new players in the global influenza vaccine market. To increase their clientele as well as increase their market share in the upcoming years, many of these market players have taken various strategic actions like partnerships and the development of novel solutions, which are expected to keep the market competitive and constantly evolving. Major market players like Seqirus, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, and Sanofi Pasteur SA, among others, have been covered along with their relative competitive strategies. The report also mentions recent deals and investments by different market players over the last few years.

Segmentation:

By Vaccine Technology

By End-User

By Geography

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction

2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary

4. Market Dynamics

5. Global Influenza Vaccine Market, By Vaccine Technology

6. Global Influenza Vaccine Market, By End-User

7. Global Influenza Vaccine Market, By Geography

8. Competitive Environment and Analysis

9. Company Profiles.

Companies Mentioned

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lwdih5

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Global Influenza Vaccine Market Report 2022: Rising Prevalence of Influenza and Growing Influenza Vaccination Drive Fuel Sector -...

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Can the annual flu vaccine reduce risk of stroke? - study - The Jerusalem Post

Harrisonburg, Virginia The first day of fall is just weeks away and that means cooler weather is approaching, the kind that tends to lead to more indoor activities and closer contact with others.

That close contact indoors is one of the reasons the flu becomes more prominent this time of year and why Suzanne Grossman, a professor of health sciences at James Madison University, recommends getting the flu shot in September or October.

"I always get my flu shot," said Grossman, who teaches courses on infectious diseases. "I get it because I really dont like being sick and by reducing my risk of getting sick, I lower the risk of passing the flu to others."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that most everyone over 6 months get the flu shot this season. However, this season, Grossman said, it is recommended that adults over 65 get a higher dose flu shot that produces a stronger immune response.

It is too early to tell how effective the flu vaccine will be for the 2022-2023 season, Grossman said. The flu vaccine is updated each year to protect against the flu viruses that are expected to become prominent.

Grossman said insurance companies usually cover the cost of the shot and some even provide incentives. For those without insurance, flu shots are usually not expensive, she said.

COVID also continues to infect people and Grossman recommends that unvaccinated people get the vaccine, and for those who are vaccinated, to stay current with boosters. The FDA last week authorized updated booster shots targeting a dominant Omicron subvariant.

Grossman said it is fine to get a flu shot and a COVID booster at the same time. She also said people should not confuse the term fully vaccinated for COVID with being up-to-date.

"The terminology here is a little confusing," she said. Fully vaccinated means that someone has completed the initial COVID vaccine regimen at least two weeks ago. For example, someone who received both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and had the second dose at least two weeks ago, or two weeks after receiving the one-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine. People are considered up-to-date with their COVID vaccine when they have received their initial vaccinations and are current with recommended boosters."

The CDC has a tool to help individuals determine when they should get a booster shot: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html?s_cid=11706:how%20long%20between%20covid%20boosters:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY22.

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Contact: Eric Gorton, gortonej@jmu.edu, 540-908-1760.

More information about James Madison University, including rankings and recognitions can be found at jmu.edu/about.

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JMU expert says time is right for flu shots - JMU - James Madison University

With new COVID-19 boosters approved, many adults seeking that shot may want to see if there are others that can provide valuable protection against diseases like pneumonia and shingles, doctors say.

The Food and Drug Administration approved on Aug. 31 new booster shots from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna that are bivalent vaccines, targeting the original strain of the SARS CoV2 virus and the BA.4 and BA.5 strains of the Omicron variant that make up 96.2 percent of all circulating strains. The Pfizer shot is approved for those ages 12 and older and Moderna is authorized for 18 and over, FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf said. The shots can be given two months or later after the last COVID-19 vaccination, he said. The boosters are being released not only to address the current surge of illness, which is coming down but has plateaued, but also to potentially help blunt a predicted wave in the fall that is modeled to peak around Dec. 1, said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at FDA.

But this is also the time of year many adults start thinking about and planning for their annual flu shots, said Dr. Alaina Payne, a family medicine physician with East Cooper Internal Medicine, part of Roper St. Francis Healthcare. During the pandemic, people have been eager to "to do anything they could to protect themselves and not get sick," she said.

For those ages 65 and older, or those with compromised immune systems, they may want to get the high-dose flu vaccine that can elicit a more robust response, Payne said.

But there are other shots it's important to ask about, as well, she said. Payne saw two patients with shingles recently who were lamenting that it might have been avoided had they gotten the Shingrix vaccine.

Shingles, the re-emergence of the chicken pox virus in older adults, can cause a wide range of problems, from mild to severe, like itching or a painful rash, fever and fatigue.

"It can even involve the ear and the eye, leading to deafness and blindness, depending on where you have it," Payne said. "Sometimes that rash and the symptoms can last a few weeks. Other times, it can go on for months, even years, where people have this chronic pain that lingers from shingles."

The vaccine is about 97 percent effective in preventing that, she said.

"I always tell people, if you know anyone that has ever had it, trust me, you dont want it," Payne said. "If you qualify for (the vaccine), then definitely try and get it if you can."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults 50 and older get the vaccine, which it also recommends for adults 19 and older with weakened immune systems.

There have also been questions from grandparents about the tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster, known as Tdap, "to help protect the grandkids from getting whooping cough or pertussis," Payne said.

That one is a little trickier, she said. Most adults need a booster every 10 years, but Medicare might not cover it. Then it becomes a cost-benefit analysis "is it worth it, have you been in the (Emergency Room) in the last 10 years when maybe they would have given it to you in the ER," she said.

Another one seniors and older adults should ask about is the pneumonia shot. That one got a little easier in the last year or so, Payne said. The Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine last year against 20 strains of pneumonia that can take the place of the previous two-shot regimen given one year apart.

Althea Noisette laughs with Mary Rohaley during a South Carolina Department on Agings health fair held at the Arthur Christopher Community Center in Charleston on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022. Grace Beahm Alford/Staff

That is "one less vaccination for people, which is nice," Payne said.

Some of these shots, like the flu shot and the COVID-19 booster, can be given at the same time, Payne said.

In fact, at some point, COVID-19 vaccine "will probably become like the flu vaccine," said Dr. Edward Simmer, director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. And patients will routinely get them, "hopefully together," he said.

But as outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and now even polio show up, a vaccine "only works if people get it," Simmer said.

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From flu shots to COVID-19 boosters to shingles, adults need to keep up their shots - Charleston Post Courier