Vaccines have been the hot topic with the possibility of a fourth COVID-19 shot. There are also some questions on how effective they will be against this new BA.2 variant.The COVID-19 vaccine may become a part of the standard vaccines offered to people to protect their health.As new variants of COVID-19 emerge, our department of health says vaccines are the best defense against getting sick. BA.2 is sweeping through Europe, and Dr. Denise Gonzales believes we should be prepared for it to hit the U.S. next.”The omicron variant that tended to make a lot more copies of itself, went through a minor mutation to create this new variant called BA.2. I would anticipate that it’s going to reach us eventually as we do our traveling and the virus mixes up,” Gonzales said.Doctors say our current COVID-19 vaccines and boosters should hold up against the new variant. Daniel Burke from the New Mexico Department of Health said, “The variant is very infectious, but we are still protected from hospitalization or death by being up to date on our vaccines.”The department of health says our new normal could continue to include new variants like BA.2, and new boosters may be required. “Will this become like the flu shot as an annual booster? I would think so, but we don’t know yet,” Burke said.That includes a fourth shot that right now is only available for folks who are severely immunocompromised.Gonzales said, “The fourth shot is not a mandate. We’re not forcing you to take it, but we’re not keeping it from people either.”
Vaccines have been the hot topic with the possibility of a fourth COVID-19 shot. There are also some questions on how effective they will be against this new BA.2 variant.
The COVID-19 vaccine may become a part of the standard vaccines offered to people to protect their health.
As new variants of COVID-19 emerge, our department of health says vaccines are the best defense against getting sick. BA.2 is sweeping through Europe, and Dr. Denise Gonzales believes we should be prepared for it to hit the U.S. next.
“The omicron variant that tended to make a lot more copies of itself, went through a minor mutation to create this new variant called BA.2. I would anticipate that it’s going to reach us eventually as we do our traveling and the virus mixes up,” Gonzales said.
Doctors say our current COVID-19 vaccines and boosters should hold up against the new variant.
Daniel Burke from the New Mexico Department of Health said, “The variant is very infectious, but we are still protected from hospitalization or death by being up to date on our vaccines.”
The department of health says our new normal could continue to include new variants like BA.2, and new boosters may be required.
“Will this become like the flu shot as an annual booster? I would think so, but we don’t know yet,” Burke said.
That includes a fourth shot that right now is only available for folks who are severely immunocompromised.
Gonzales said, “The fourth shot is not a mandate. We’re not forcing you to take it, but we’re not keeping it from people either.”
