Even though the days of the pandemic are behind us, COVID-19 is still a common illness that has not gone away. Thankfully, the COVID-19 vaccine helped curb the number of infections and create herd immunity during the pandemic. As a result, COVID-19 booster vaccines have been released annually to continue herd immunity and lessen the risk of COVID-19 causing serious illness.
With increased COVID-19 vaccination rates, the death toll of COVID-19 has decreased since 2020. This decrease in the death toll has also been a result of the virus mutating and becoming less severe. In most healthy adults, COVID-19 symptoms have become less severe over time and oftentimes are similar to the flu or even a common cold. With COVID-19 being a less severe illness than it was in 2020, do you still need to get vaccinated to protect yourself from COVID-19? Continue reading if you want to find out. If you’re experiencing illness symptoms or are worried you may have COVID-19, visit AFC Urgent Care Waltham for same-day illness diagnosis and treatment, including rapid COVID-19 testing, available on a walk-in basis.
How Does the COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Work?
COVID-19 is a highly contagious viral infection. Following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the COVID-19 vaccine was required to return to normal daily activities for most people. This is because viral infections easily spread from person to person through the air, direct contact, and by touching surfaces like doorknobs.
Vaccinations help reduce the spread of viral infections like COVID-19 by exposing your body to the virus. This allows your immune system to build up immunity and essentially create a defense specifically designed to fight off the COVID-19 virus. The vaccine has a deactivated COVID-19 virus which allows your immune system to recognize the virus, without making you sick.
Benefits of The COVID-19 Booster
Getting the COVID-19 booster is still highly recommended by most healthcare professionals. This is because the COVID-19 booster vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect your health. The vaccines have very few downsides. Most people do not experience side effects from the vaccine, although similar to the flu vaccine, soreness at the injection site is possible following your vaccine.
The COVID-19 booster vaccines have similar benefits to the flu vaccine, which is also widely recommended for everyone to get annually. Getting the COVID-19 booster shots exposes your immune system to each new variant of the COVID-19 virus. This early exposure gives your immune system a head start to build up its defenses. Not only does this mean you are less likely to get COVID-19, but it also reduces the risk of you developing severe illness due to contracting COVID-19. The COVID-19 booster is very accessible and offered at most pharmacies, urgent care clinics, and primary care offices.
Can Anyone Get the COVID-19 Booster Vaccine?
Although the risk of death due to COVID-19 has been declining since the end of the pandemic, it is still a good idea to get the COVID-19 boosters as they become available. The virus is continuously mutating over time, meaning that it can cause different symptoms each time it mutates. To protect yourself from getting sick, you can protect yourself from each mutation by getting the correlating booster shot.
In 2024, the CDC recommends that anyone who is eligible for the vaccine should get the COVID-19 boosters as they become available. This includes anyone who is older than five years old. If you have underlying health conditions, such as an autoimmune disorder or an underlying lung condition, you should check with your healthcare provider regarding your eligibility for the COVID-19 booster vaccines.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Waltham For Rapid COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 booster vaccines are important to ensure you are protected from serious illness. If you are concerned that you may have COVID-19, AFC Urgent Care Waltham offers same-day rapid COVID-19 testing daily from 8am-8pm. Our clinic offers short wait times and we never require that you schedule an appointment, simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you.
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At AFC Urgent Care Waltham, your health is our priority. Although the days of the pandemic are over, COVID-19 still is circulating and it is important to take precautionary steps to avoid contracting COVID-19. If you think you may have COVID-19, seeking early medical care will help you best treat your symptoms. AFC Urgent Care Waltham offers fast and reliable illness care 7 days a week. Simply walk into the clinic. For additional information regarding our clinic, contact us directly by calling (781) 894-6900.
