Editor’s note: This is the latest edition of Curious Mississippi, a service to the readers of the Clarion Ledger and Hattiesburg American. Other questions answered by Curious Mississippi included potholes, cicadas and the international nature of the Jackson airport. Recently, we answered the question of why Mississippi roads are brown. Readers can submit questions by email to CuriousMississippi@ClarionLedger.com and editors will pick out the best and reporters will answer them in an upcoming edition.
It’s almost that time of year again. Another year gone by, another COVID-19 booster coming around the corner.
Mississippi State Department of Health Epidemiologist Kathryn Taylor said in a statement that the department does not have specific information on when the latest COVID-19 vaccine will be released for ordering, though it will likely be toward the end of September.
“The updated COVID-19 vaccines are not currently available,” Taylor said.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for people 6 months and older.
Readers recently had questions about the latest COVID-19 vaccine and Curious Mississippi has answers below.
Who is eligible for the vaccine?
The current recommendation is that anyone over 6 months gets at least one shot of the updated COVID-19 vaccine. For individuals getting a single dose, any brand of vaccine may be used.
Young children, older adults and immunocompromised individuals may be recommended to get multiple doses of the vaccine, Taylor said.
“When a series of vaccinations is recommended, it is preferred for individuals to complete the series with the same brand of vaccine when feasible,” she said.
More on COVID-19 and Paxlovid:Paxlovid supplies are low in Jackson. See why the Covid drug is so hard to get in Jackson
Where can I get a vaccine?
Taylor said COVID-19 vaccines made commercially available last year and will likely still be available in many pharmacies and some clinic settings as they were for 2023-2024. The updated COVID-19 vaccines are not currently available but are anticipated to be commercially available in early fall.
More on MS health:Influenza cases are spiking in Mississippi. Here’s what to know
Do I need a booster this fall if I already got a COVID-19 vaccine?
The short answer: yes.
COVID-19 changes over time, creating new variants. The updated 2024-2025 vaccine protects against variants in circulation or likely to be in circulation.
“Vaccination with the updated COVID-19 vaccine provides individuals with the greatest protection from severe outcomes such as hospitalization or death,” Taylor said.
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