This alarming trend continues an eight-week streak of rising admissions, but there is a glimmer of hope.
New booster shots have emerged as a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19, with hospitalizations experiencing an almost 9% surge in the past week
The latest week’s increase, while still concerning, represents the smallest percentage uptick in the last two months, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Dr. John Brownstein, the Chief Innovation Officer at Boston Children’s Hospital and an ABC News Medical Contributor, commented on this new booster shots trend. This is welcome, though not surprising, news as we head into the fall.”
The rise in hospitalizations coincides with the FDA’s recent approval of updated COVID boosters aimed at bolstering protection against current variants. A CDC advisory panel is convening to determine eligibility criteria for these new booster shots, with the CDC director expected to give the green light shortly after. New booster shots are anticipated to be available later this week and will see an expanding supply in the coming weeks as retailers and pharmacies receive shipments.
Dr. Brownstein emphasized the significance of these new booster shots, particularly for high-risk populations like the elderly and immunocompromised individuals
As the nation strives to enhance its immunity, it’s worth mentioning that data from vaccine manufacturers indicates these new booster shots are effective against the various omicron sub variants currently in circulation, offering encouraging prospects for the upcoming fall season. With nearly 97% of Americans expected to possess some form of underlying immunity, these new boosters represent a vital layer of protection against COVID-19. Stay tuned for updates on vaccine availability via the vaccines.gov website in the days ahead.
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