Cincinnati.com: Greater Cincinnati lags in COVID-19 vaccines. So, should you get a second booster?

UC expert says healthy people over 65 should feel comfortable getting boosted

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is updating its recommendations to allow certain immunocompromised individuals and people over 50 to be eligible for another COVID-19 booster if four months have passed since their first. Cincinnati.com reported a handful of the 16 counties in the Cincinnati region lag in the nation in getting boosters, even though most counties lag the nation in vaccination rates. Two counties, Hamilton and Warren, have booster rates just above 50%. 

Lou Edje, MD, MHPE, Graduate Medical Education

Louito Edje, MD, associate dean of graduate medical education at the UC College of Medicine/Photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Creative + Brand

Cincinnati.com talked to several local experts for a story, including Louito Edje, MD, associate dean for graduate medical education at the UC College of Medicine.

Edje said anyone healthy and over 65 should feel comfortable getting boosted without consulting their primary care provider. But, she added, if there's any question about whether they're at high risk, they should talk to their doctor first.

As for those 50 to 65 years old, Edje said, "We just don't have the data to support everyone getting a fourth dose." But she pointed out that if a person is at high risk for COVID-19, an additional shot is a good idea.

Read the full story here

Lead photo/Seth Wenig/AP

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