Uninsured Americans can obtain free booster shots through the Biden Administration’s “Bridge Access” initiative | Photo - Unsplash
As Chicagoans prepare for the fall and winter season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a statement recommending that everyone six months and older receive an updated COVID-19 booster shot. Updated vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna will be available later this week.
According to the CDC, vaccination is the best defense against COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths, and also reduces the chance of suffering the effects of Long COVID, which can develop during or following acute infection and last for an extended period.
Chicagoans who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past two months are advised to get an updated vaccine for additional protection. COVID-19 variants are continuously changing, and protection from vaccines declines over time.
Receiving an updated vaccine can restore protection and provide enhanced defense against the variants currently causing the majority of infections and hospitalizations in the United States. Last season, those who received a 2022-2023 COVID-19 vaccine experienced greater protection against illness and hospitalization than those who did not receive the updated vaccine.
Most Chicagoans can still receive a COVID-19 vaccine for free through their insurance provider. Uninsured individuals or those without coverage for the vaccine can get an updated booster through the CDC's Bridge Access Program. Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program may also receive the vaccine from a provider enrolled in the program.
In addition to safe, updated vaccines, at-home tests for the virus can identify infection to protect families, coworkers, and the general public. Those infected with COVID-19 are advised to speak with a health professional about effective treatments that can reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
For more information on updated COVID-19 vaccines, visit the CDC's website.
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