COVID-19 Summer Surge: Three Things to Know
It may seem like many people you know have had COVID this summer – and that could be because, according to the latest wastewater monitoring data from the CDC, 44 out of 50 U.S. states are currently experiencing “high” or “very high” COVID-19 viral activity. If you or someone you know has been sick with COVID this summer, there are a few important things to keep in mind based on the latest guidance from the CDC.
The surge is due to the ever-evolving nature of COVID-19.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is consistently mutating, leading to variants that differ from the original virus. Each spring, public health experts analyze the circulating virus and recommend a vaccine tailored to that season’s variant, much like the flu. This means that each year, you can receive a COVID-19 shot that is specifically designed to protect you from the variant currently causing infections in your community.
The burden of COVID-19 is still significant – and higher than flu.
As of June 2024, the uptake of the 2023/2024 influenza vaccine among U.S. adults over 18 was more than double that of the updated COVID-19 vaccine (48.2% vs. 22.3%). And yet, COVID-19 hospitalizations rates are higher than influenza regardless of age or health condition. COVID-19 is especially dangerous for older adults, where the number of COVID-19 related hospitalizations rate was more than double that of the flu. Additionally, many U.S. adults continue to be plagued by Long COVID, which is defined as a chronic condition that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and is present for at least 3 months. Long COVID includes a wide range of symptoms or conditions that may improve, worsen, or be ongoing, and nearly 1 in 5 American adults who have had COVID-19 report experiencing Long COVID symptoms, and it can impact anyone – regardless of age or health status.
If you had COVID this summer, you should still get an updated vaccine this fall, once three months have passed since your infection.
The CDC has recommended that everyone ages 6 months or older receive an updated shot when it becomes available this fall. In its updated guidance, the CDC specifically notes that people who recently had SARS-CoV-2 infection may consider waiting up to 3 months from symptom onset or, if infection was asymptomatic, a positive test, to get their updated COVID-19 vaccine. In other words, if you recently had COVID, you should still plan to get an updated vaccine this fall.
Still have questions? Talk to your healthcare provider to get the facts and learn how you can protect yourself against COVID-19.