Booster and Omicron update

. Posted in Coronavirus, COVID-19

Dear Patient,

 

As we enter the holiday season, the physicians and staff at InterMed are here to help you stay healthy. We wanted to provide you with information pertaining to where we are with the pandemic and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

While cases of COVID infections and hospitalizations in our state remain elevated, we have the tools to control the virus. The COVID vaccines are our most effective and important tools.

The vaccine is effective at lowering the rate of infection and preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death. If you contract COVID after vaccination you are more likely to have mild symptoms and not require hospitalization.

Boosters for adults

The FDA and CDC recommend booster shots for all adults, age 18 and older. If you have received your second Modern or Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months ago, or a Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months ago, then you are eligible for the booster. If you have not had your booster, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at our Vaccine Clinic.

If you are unable to schedule at our Vaccine Clinic, please use the State’s list of vaccine locations. If you receive a vaccine elsewhere, please send us an image of your card through the Secure File Upload on our website so that we can update your records.

If you have not received any vaccine, we strongly encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Omicron variant
The CDC announced Wednesday that the first U.S. case of Omicron has been detected in California. We are still learning about the Omicron variant and will continue to closely monitor information from the CDC and other leading organizations.

  • It appears to be highly contagious.
  • Researchers are studying the effectiveness of vaccines against Omicron. Many researchers believe that being fully vaccinated will provide a level of protection that may prevent serious illness and hospitalization.
  • The COVID tests used at InterMed will detect the presence of Omicron.

We would like to end with a note of encouragement. Although this is our second holiday season in the pandemic, we have the tools to control this virus. We have proven vaccines and treatment options with more options being evaluated by the FDA. We have a better understanding of how to slow the spread of COVID including masks and regular handwashing. Using all of our tools is how we will end this pandemic.

Stay safe and well, and best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season,

Dan Loiselle, MD, Chief Medical Officer, and the entire InterMed Care Team