Catherine O'Neal, MD
Health experts are urging the public to be up to date on their COVID boosters and flu shot before gathering with loved ones for the holidays. LSU Health Sciences Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal said as we age the body’s memory of the last vaccine wanes sooner so it’s important to get boosted.
“Many people feel like oh I’ve gotten my three shots I’m good, but if you haven’t been vaccinated in a while and if you haven’t had the new bivalent booster that protects you against Omicron it’s time to get it today,” said O’Neal.
Gatherings tend to place individuals in close proximity to one another and it’s a breeding ground for viruses. O’Neal said it’s proven that viral seasons are spearheaded by the holidays.
“It is a given, we’re not guessing, it’s a given that you will be exposed to viruses over this holiday season,” said O’Neal.
Both COVID and the flu tend to be much harder on older adults and this year families want to make up for gatherings that were limited the last two. O’Neal said it’s not just seniors that need to be vaccinated but children as well.
“If we vaccinate our kids, we know that they spread fewer viruses to our adults and so this new up-to-date vaccine is approved for kids greater than five years old,” said O’Neal.
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