IDSA to the Public: Get Your COVID-19 Boosters

Tremendous progress has been made in controlling the spread of COVID-19 and curbing its most lethal effects. There are now multiple types of vaccines, therapeutic options and a new vaccine that targets the prevailing, more contagious strain of COVID-19. The result of this progress is that we have entered a new phase of the pandemic, and most people in America have resumed their daily routines and activities. As we enter fall, now is the time to prepare for the seasonal fluctuations in COVID-19, such as the surge we experienced last winter.

Everyone who is eligible for the vaccine or booster shot should receive it. Doing so is the best way to stay safe and healthy and to continue our progress against COVID-19. Foregoing vaccination or a needed booster shot this fall could increase the likelihood of new variants that put millions in harm’s way and overwhelm hospitals, threatening everyone’s ability to access needed health care. Keeping your vaccination up to date also protects those around you who are most vulnerable: the immunosuppressed, those over 65 and children who have not yet been vaccinated.

Success in controlling the pandemic is the result of ongoing preventive measures, and we must not let our guard down. Current data indicate that many people continue to experience COVID-related infection and hospitalization with an average of 400-500 people dying from COVID-19 every day in the United States. Inequities persist, as vulnerable communities continue to bear a disproportionate burden of COVID-19, and many of the individuals who most need COVID-19 therapeutics struggle to access them. To ensure continued progress against COVID-19, it is critical that Congress allocate additional resources for the response.

No one can predict COVID-19’s next turn. Following the science around vaccination and boosters is America’s best prescription for managing COVID-19.

IDSA provides answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about COVID vaccines and boosters below:

COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccine FAQs

About IDSA
The Infectious Diseases Society of America is a community of more than 12,000 physicians, scientists and public health experts who specialize in infectious diseases. Its purpose is to improve the health of individuals, communities and society by promoting excellence in patient care, education, research, public health and prevention relating to infectious diseases. Learn more at https://www.idsociety.org/.