COVID-19, Flu Vaccines Now Available

Guidelines about who can get vaccines for COVID-19 and the flu are changing. But you can still get a shot if you want it. 

The COVID-19 shot is approved for all seniors, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) narrowed its use for most adults and children to those with at least one high-risk health condition. 

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also recently announced that his department also no longer recommends children or pregnant mothers get vaccinated. The panel of scientists that would make that formal recommendation isn’t slated to meet until later this month. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a wide-ranging list of qualifying conditions. Some of the ailments on the list include asthma, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and lung disease. 

The full list is available at CDC.gov, but it is difficult to find and there are contradictory pages that have not yet been updated. 

The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department (KCHD) has announced it has vaccines in stock and will not require a physician’s order if you can attest to meeting at least one of the risk factors on the CDC’s list.

KCHD’s Health Officer, Dr. Steven Eshenaur, said many people may believe they suddenly no longer qualify. They also may have concerns about insurance covering the shot, which can cost $150 or more before insurance. 

“The list of risk factors is expansive and includes obesity, age, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lung disease and a host of other issues that many of us face,” Eshenaur said. “We will walk you through the list of risk factors when you come in to get the vaccine, and we will help you see if you qualify for the shot. Or, your physician can write an order for you to get it. Either way, there will be no surprises from your insurer.” 

Eshenaur said respiratory diseases can be deadly. Vaccines like the flu shot, the COVID-19 vaccine and the RSV vaccine (available now for those 50 and older) can help prevent these viruses or, at a minimum, lessen the impact of the disease if you contract it. 

Preliminary data estimates 47,500 Americans died of COVID-19-related causes last year. 

The changes occur while the country is experiencing a new summer COVID-19 wave and the disease is claiming more than 100 lives weekly.