CDC clarifies second COVID-19 vaccine booster, feds have plan to research, treat long covid: Coronavirus upda – cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clarifies who should get second COVID-19 vaccine booster dose, and the federal government takes additional steps to research and treat long covid.

Cleveland.com is rounding up some of the most notable coronavirus news making headlines online. Heres what you need to know for Friday, April 8.

CDC clarifies who should get second COVID-19 vaccine booster

People who have had the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series plus one booster dont need a second booster if they recently were infected with the omicron COVID-19 variant, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said recently.

People in this category could wait two to four months before their second booster, she said.

The CDC expanded eligibility for an additional booster dose for certain individuals who may be at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. People over the age of 50 can now get an additional booster 4 months after their prior dose to increase their protection further. This is especially important for those 65 and older and those 50 and older with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for severe disease from COVID-19, the agency said.

There are no known safety issues for those eligible for a second booster to get one now, even if they may need another shot this fall, Walensky said.

Federal push outlined to research, treat long covid

President Joe Biden directed the federal government to take additional steps to research and treat long covid, in which symptoms of COVID-19 linger long after the initial infection clears.

Long covid is estimated to affect between 7.7 million and 23 million Americans, according to a recent federal report. The condition is linked to fatigue, brain fog and other symptoms that last for months or even years.

The Department of Health and Human Services will coordinate a government-wide plan that includes detailing available services and support for long covid patients, speed up efforts to enroll participants in a clinical research study and pursue federal protections for people with the condition, according to news reports.

The government also will expand a nationwide network of long covid clinics being run through the Department of Veterans Affairs, and collect feedback from people living with long covid.

Medicare Part B to provide free home COVID-19 tests

Medicare Part B recipients, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, will now be able to get free over-the-counter COVID-19 tests, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Medicare recipients are eligible to receive up to eight free tests per month from participating pharmacies and healthcare providers. A list of participating stores and providers is here.

This will be the first time Medicare has covered over-the-counter and self-administered COVID-19 tests. The new policy applies to tests approved or authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, according to a news release.

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CDC clarifies second COVID-19 vaccine booster, feds have plan to research, treat long covid: Coronavirus upda - cleveland.com