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While the cowled cases are starting to increase this summer, many may wonder: what are my risks and is it time to get another vaccine?
Since July 15, the cases coated have increased or probably increased in 27 states, notably Texas, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia and Ohio, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Positive cocovide tests have also increased In recent weeks, says the CDC, especially in the southern region of the country.
NB1.8.1 is the current dominant variant in the United States, representing 43% of all new cases of covid, according to the CDC. It is a branching of the XVD.1.5.1 strain, a descendant of the omicron variant. NB1.8.1 was responsible for an increase in hospitalizations in China earlier this year.
He was nicknamed “razor with blade blade” because there have been anecdotal reports from some people becoming painful throat, said Dr. William Schaffner, an expert in infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Schaffner noted, however, that sore throat has been a current symptom of covid since he started to spread.
“I doubt that Covid’s clinical spectrum has changed considerably,” said Schaffner.
Do I need a cocovated booster? When will new vaccines be available?
The increase in cases occurs because many Americans have probably spent a year or more without a covid shot.
In May, the Food and Drug Administration have asked drug manufacturers to update their co -via vaccines To target the LP.8.1 strain, a descendant of JN.1, which began to spread widely in 2023 and is another omicron ramification. LP.8.1 currently represents 31% of all new cases, according to the CDC.
New blows will not be available before fall and should only be approved for adults 65 and over and children and adults with at least one medical condition that puts them at risk of serious illness. Healthy children and adults who want a shot may have to find an older version or pay for your pocket. A single dose can cost up to $ 140.
Experts say, however, that immunity by the population – whether from vaccination, previous infection or both – can protect a large part of the public for the moment.
“Although we do not have much high level of immunity in the population at the moment, because it has been so long, we can have enough level immunity to make a little more difficult for this virus to easily transmit from person to person,” said Andy Pekosz, infectious researcher at Diseases at Johns Hopkins University.
Indeed, weekly hospital have remained weak, which suggests that the new variant may not cause serious illness.
The number of cases is still considerably lower than those of last year, when the positivity rate of the test Pre -worn in August at 17.9%. The 2025 season has not yet scratched 5%.
Pekosz said it was not unusual that cases increased during the summer, when people are likely to hurry inside to escape heat. However, he thinks that if there is an increase in summer cases, it will be small.
“The variants have existed for some time and have not caused major overvoltages to date,” said Pekosz. “Again, I hope that if we see a wave, it will be a low level wave compared to previous years.”
Dr. Ofer Levy, director of the Boston Children’s Hospital’s precision program, who advised the FDA, said that people who were at high risk of serious illness could always want to consider making a hidden blow, if they can find one.
High risk groups include:
- Older adults
- People with weakened immune systems
- Pregnant women
- Those who have underlying health problems, such as asthma and heart disease
Obtaining a shot is particularly important, said Levy, for those who have not had more than a year and whose immunity has probably decreased.
“If you are in a high-risk group and you are in a state where cases are increasing, you may want to get the first appointment available and get a shot to protect you,” he said.
People at high risk can then consider obtaining an additional boost when the updated vaccines are distributed in the fall, he said.
Covid has two waves per year
Schaffner, from Vanderbilt, said that people in high -risk groups can also consider carrying a mask during interior activities, such as films.
Healthy adults and children can be able to wait longer before having a gunshot, Levy added.
“If you are in a group at a lower risk, this is where things become blurred,” he said. “I mean if you want a vaccine and your health care provider Concorde and you can get it.”
Dr. Michael Phillips, infectious doctor of Nyu Langone’s disease, said that he mainly saw immunocompromised adults and older adults for the virus. For those who have not obtained a cobed shot for years, Phillips said that he did not think they should still worry.
“If you are younger, if not in good health, I think you are well,” said Phillips. “If you have an underlying pulmonary disease, you know, if you are an older age group, now is a time when you should really speak to a doctor and say:” My god, should I get a booster for Covid? “”
He said the quantity of positive cocoas tests that Nyu Langone has seen 40% since February.
Fatima Amaeka, senior analyst at the Center for Epiber Response Innovation at Johns Hopkins, said she expects the current wave to peak around September.
Schaffner said to expect another wave at the end of fall and winter.
“(COVID) has two increases each year,” he said. “Everyone knows the winter increase that goes hand in hand with flu and RSV.”
