President Trump probably doesn’t want any pictures taken with his feet on his desk. Maybe he never puts his feet on his desk. His recent diagnosis of a venous blood supply problem warrants such a recline two or three times a day.
Millions of Americans, especially seniors, deal with ankle and lower leg swelling caused by the flow of blood from the lower leg not returning to the heart as adequately as it did earlier in life. It’s not a debilitating issue unless it’s ignored in which case a blood clot could develop in the lower leg or behind the knee.
Blood clots are not good as they are not good for the veins. Even worse, a blood clot in the lower leg can travel to the upper part of the body which could be fatal. Thousands of Americans die every year from blood clots that travel to the heart or cause strokes which can be debilitating and fatal.
The smart thing for our President to do is to put his feet up on his desk for ten minutes or so three or four times a day. He can do so when he is talking on his telephone or if he is having a casual meeting. Doctors typically recommend compression socks. There are different grades of compression socks. Some are very light and go on very easy while others are like fighting a war to put on because the compression is so tight. Most people don’t particularly enjoy compression socks. However, many testify that once you are used to them you feel better because your legs aren’t swelling as much during the day.
Besides compression socks and elevating your legs it’s good not to stand in one spot for too long. Walking is great, but just standing in one position can negatively impact the lower leg and the flow of blood as it returns to the heart. Sitting too long creates the same problematic scenario.
The President is doing the right thing by taking an aspirin a day to avoid clotting issues. Most people who develop a blood clot often end up on blood thinner for a while or a lifetime.
Alcohol makes your blood slicker. It doesn’t make it thinner as reported by a family physician.
A few years back, I had a pulmonary embolism after receiving my third covid shot so I have some experience to draw from on this.
President Trump can potentially live another robust 20 years or more. However, it’s reality, he is getting older and has to take care of himself.
About the author ~
Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.
The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.
Myths have potentially contributed to more than 900 measles cases reported across the country. Public health officials are working to combat misinformation surrounding vaccines in an effort to curb the spread.
by Judith Ruiz-Branch Illinois News Connection
CHICAGO - At least two people have tested positive for measles in Illinois and public health officials are working to combat misinformation surrounding vaccines in an effort to curb the spread.
Health officials said the measles virus is highly infectious and especially concerning for babies and young children, as well as people who are pregnant or have compromised immune systems. It can cause pneumonia, brain damage and even be fatal in some cases.
Dr. Kiran Joshi, interim chief operating officer at the Cook County Department of Public Health, said it is also preventable through vaccination, with two doses of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine providing nearly 100% lifelong protection.
"Ninety-seven percent of people who got measles this year happened to be unvaccinated," Joshi pointed out. "Vaccination is incredibly protective."
Joshi added over the past 50 years, the measles vaccine has saved more than 150 million lives across the world. He noted the department has launched a campaign to counter some of the misinformation that is circulating.
Public health officials are focusing campaign efforts on unvaccinated people. Joshi explained it includes having multiple conversations with hesitant patients and providing evidence-backed information. He stressed misinformation about preventive measures like taking vitamin A is concerning and not scientifically proven.
"There are a lot of myths out there, such as 'vaccines can cause autism,'" Joshi pointed out. "I want to state categorically that is incorrect, that there's no credible evidence to support that, yet these myths continue to perpetuate."
Joshi added the myths have potentially contributed to more than 900 measles cases reported across the country.
"When you look at the research, when you look at the evidence, all of that has been subjected to pretty rigorous standards," Joshi outlined. "We also go to the nature of science, that you have to be able to repeat studies. You have to look at the research as a whole, instead of sort of cherry-picking."
He advised anyone with questions to speak with their primary care provider about their vaccine records and ensure they are getting any health information from reputable source.
PEORIA - As measles cases continue to climb across the United States, the long-term implications can’t be ignored.
The respiratory viral infection, although thought eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, has reemerged, especially among unvaccinated individuals. As of early April 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported more than 600 confirmed cases of measles.
Measles is extremely contagious
"The key to measles is how highly infectious it is. Each person that has measles will infect between 12 and 18 people in an unvaccinated situation," says Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare. "The key for controlling measles is widespread vaccine use."
For reference, each influenza patient, on average, will infect one to two others.
The measles vaccine is normally offered once a child has reached one year of age. It's a two-shot series, which came on the market in 1963. Dr. Kasper says this gives medical experts decades of data that show a correlation between people receiving the vaccine, and close to zero circulation of the virus in the United States.
The states with measles outbreaks are in unvaccinated people, and no breakthrough cases (in those who have received the vaccine) have been reported, Dr. Kasper adds.
The long-term risks for unvaccinated measles patients
"There is emerging information that vaccination not only protects an individual from not becoming ill or having less severity of illness with a viral exposure, whether that's measles, chicken pox, influenza or COVID-19, but that there are long-term risks from viral infections that we do not appreciate in the moment," Dr. Kasper says. "Some of these have been associated with memory loss or dementia as somebody ages. Some of these are associated with organ disease like hepatitis or kidney disease."
Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE)
SSPE is a rare, deadly degenerative disease of the central nervous system that can happen seven to 10 years after a measles infection. Young children, pregnant women and immunocompromised people are the most at-risk for SSPE. One to three out of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications, the CDC says.
SSPE symptoms happen over four stages.
Stage 1: Personality changes, mood swings or depression. There may also be fever and headaches, this stage can last up to six months
Stage 2: Muscle spasms and uncontrolled movement problems. Loss of vision, dementia and seizures can occur
Stage 3: Twisting movements and rigidity. Sometimes death
Stage 4: Serious brain damage, including areas of the brain that control breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, leading to coma and death
Immune amnesia
Another long-term impact of measles is known as immune amnesia. The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) calls immune amnesia “one of the most unique and most dangerous features of measles pathogenesis.” The extremely rare condition causes people’s immune systems to “forget” how to fight off infections and makes the person more susceptible. The ASM determined it normally takes two to three years after a measles infection for protective immunity to return.
A measles outbreak was declared in Northeast Illinois in early 2024 and declared “over” by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in June. The expectation of statewide health experts is that measles will return to Illinois in the coming months. This is mainly due to heavy travel through Chicago airports and summer festivals. County health departments have now been tasked with keeping an eye on their measles vaccine rates and identifying areas where vaccine rates are low.
Peoria County's measles vaccine rate is quite high, around 95%. But outlying communities in central Illinois have lower vaccine rates, normally more rural counties. Health experts at Michigan Medicine call the Great Lake State “ripe for a measles outbreak,” as only 66% of toddlers receive the recommended childhood immunizations.
Measles symptoms
"Measles typically presents with a high fever, typically much higher than what we'd see with seasonal colds or influenza. Fevers can be 104 or 105 degrees Fahrenheit," Dr. Kasper says. "That's followed by a runny nose and a characteristic rash. This typically develops on the head and then spreads down the rest of the body."
“We don’t want to go back”
"Measles at its peak, in the 1950s before the vaccine, led to a significant number of hospitalizations in young children. Around 50,000 hospitalizations were estimated per year and about 500 deaths," Dr. Kasper says. "We don't want to go back to that scenario in any capacity, where we have a large number of unvaccinated people. The outcomes could be too severe."
Immunocompromised people like those who have received an organ transplant, cancer patients or those on long-term therapies that could impact their immune system, are at high risk for measles.
Why vaccines are so important right now
Summer travel along with large crowds at places like airports and theme parks, will likely bring more measles cases to the United States.
"This time, as good as any time, is to make sure somebody is updated on their vaccinations. If somebody isn't sure if they were vaccinated as a child, they should talk to their primary care provider about testing or receiving the vaccine. If someone is immunocompromised and they might be at a higher risk for measles through travel in areas that have exposure, they should talk to their primary care provider about the vaccine," Dr. Kasper says. "If someone has young children or is at an age where vaccine is recommended, we wholly recommend for them to discuss with their provider to remain up to date on their vaccine series."
Vaccine hesitancy continues to be a topic of discussion, one that Dr. Kasper recommends patients openly discuss with their medical provider.
Natural immunity is not a viable option with measles. The highly infectious nature of the virus, along with the severity of symptoms and potential for long-term complications, make it an illness people need to try and avoid entirely.
The number of reported measles cases has soared past the number in all of 2024 this week. In the past, the mortality rate of children worldwide has been reduce by 51% thanks to vaccinations. Unfortunately, measles is making a resurgence because of the current vaccine hesitancy trend.
by Colleen Reynolds OSF Healthcare
PEORIA - The third week of March marked a regrettable milestone. The number of measles cases soared past the number in all of 2024. Dana DeShon, APRN for Peoria, Illinois-based OSF HealthCare, says globally the mortality rate of children worldwide has been reduce by 51% by just the act of vaccinating them. Vaccines save more than 4-5 million lives each year and have prevented approximately 50 million deaths between 2000-2019.
Dana DeShon, APRN
However, DeShon worries that in the United States, vaccine hesitancy will bring measles back as a public health crisis. The advanced practice registered nurse has been involved with the United Nations Foundation initiative called Shot@Life through which she and others lobby Congress to fund vaccine support for children in low-income countries. According to Deshon, the funding accounts for less than 1% of the total U.S budget but saves 2.5 million lives every year worldwide.
However, these days, she’s focused on vaccinations at home.
DeShon says most of the population hasn’t seen the devastating impact of the highly contagious measles because it was eradicated in 2000. But measles is making a resurgence because of vaccine hesitancy. And measles is the most contagious of all vaccine-preventable diseases.
It begins with a runny nose, watery eyes and then a rash so people can be walking around, spreading the airborne virus before severe symptoms develop.
Vaccine hesitancy was fueled in the 1990s by a bad study from a physician who has since lost his license to practice medicine.
“You’re contagious four days before that rash and up to four days after so we could have 8 to 10 days of people walking around not even knowing they have measles and then they’re just spreading it around to people at risk. Obviously, the people most at risk, are the people who are not vaccinated,” DeShon points out.
That includes babies who can’t be vaccinated until age 1, along with pregnant women and immunocompromised cancer patients who can’t get vaccinated.
Vaccine hesitancy was fueled in the 1990s by a bad study from a physician who has since lost his license to practice medicine. The research, published in a respected medical journal, The Lancet, involved only 12 patients and falsely linked vaccines with autism. DeShon said the study has been retracted and there is, in fact, NO scientific evidence that vaccines cause autism.
She emphasizes the National Institutes of Health (NIH) spent millions on research.
“Outside research was also done and there were no links that they could find from that original Lancet study. It got to the point that they said, ‘We’re not going to do anymore studies because they did not see a link between autism and the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.”
Measles vaccination rates are falling
The Kaiser Family Foundation says measles vaccination rates in most U.S. states have fallen below the 95% threshold scientists consider necessary for so called ‘herd immunity’ to control the disease, and those rates have continued to drop. That’s concerning for DeShon.
“How are we going to stop this? It is not vitamin A. Vitamin A is not going to stop the measles outbreak. We need vaccinations. That is what is going to stop the outbreak that we are seeing, not just in west Texas, but all over in these pockets we’re seeing in the United States right now.”
DeShon stresses when the population is vaccinated, measles goes away. Receiving one and two doses of measles vaccine is 93% and 97% effective, respectively, in preventing measles.
Photo: CDC
The torso of a child with a skin rash due to a case of the three-day measles.
She points to an outbreak at a Chicago migrant shelter last year. Fifty-seven measles cases were associated with people in the shelter. Most cases occurred in people who were unvaccinated. A prompt and coordinated response with a mass vaccination campaign reduced the size and duration of the outbreak and stopped what might have become a statewide public health concern.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says measles can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and in some cases, death. Children, especially those younger than 5 years old, are at a higher risk of developing serious complications from measles.
A school-age child in Texas died from the measles and the New Mexico Department of Health is reporting the death of an unvaccinated adult who tested positive for measles. Even if a child survives measles, it can have long-lasting effects.
A condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, or SSPE, a degenerative neurological condition can develop seven to 10 years after a measles infection, according to DeShon.
The disease carries a heavy toll. So DeShon reminds everyone that while vaccination is a personal decision, it impacts health systems, communities, and the most vulnerable among us.
“When it comes to the point that this is something that is so contagious, and now deadly, then we really need to stop and think, ‘We need to be doing this, not because of me but because of those around me.’”
If you’re unsure whether you have immunity against measles, talk to your health care provider about your options.
PEORIA - Last month, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has reported the state’s first bird flu cases in poultry flocks.
In a health advisory sent to long-term care (LTC) facilities, farm bureaus and local health departments, the IDPH reports large commercial poultry flocks in central and southern Illinois have recently tested positive for the H5N1 virus. Farm owners are now in the process of “de-populating” the birds.
Several counties in northern Illinois have reported events where many ducks and geese have died, referred to as “die-offs.” The reason LTCs received the notice is because many are located on retention ponds that attract waterfowl and wild birds.
No human cases have been reported in Illinois yet. But health officials continue to warn those who interact with potentially infected animals that if they don’t wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), they are at higher risk of developing the novel influenza A virus due to H5N1.
Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare, says bird flu has really hurt local American farms.
"Avian flu is a different strain of Influenza A. It's a strain that has been circulating in bird and cattle populations for over two years. It has been devastating to those populations, like poultry and dairy farms across the country," Dr. Kasper says. "What was unique was that in the calendar year 2024, was the first confirmed testing where the spread from an animal to a human occurred of this specific strain of influenza."
In early January, the Louisiana Department of Health reported the first-ever human bird flu death in the United States. The patient was reported to be over 65 years of age and had underlying medical conditions. The patient contracted H5N1 after exposure to sick and dead birds in a backyard flock.
Currently bird flu is only transmitted from animal to animal or animal to person. There have been no reported cases to have transmitted from human to human, but Dr. Kasper says there is always a concern about that possibility.
"Whenever there is an animal strain of infection that's not typically found in humans, we worry about the impact of if it were to cross over," Dr. Kasper says. "We've seen this with other infections throughout history. Even within COVID-19, there was the initial thought that it was an animal strain of infection."
The current flu vaccine does not protect against avian influenza, Dr. Kasper says.
"Each year the influenza vaccine, which is made up of three or four strains of influenza virus, is reexamined and matched up to a variety of factors to try and predict which strains will be most prevalent the next year," Dr. Kasper says. "Right now, avian flu cases in humans are so low that it doesn't warrant a different strain that would be much more likely to be found."
IDPH’s guidance to LTCs is to have residents tested for the flu if they are suspected of having acute respiratory illness. Don’t touch dead or sick birds, only trained staff in appropriate PPE should handle with caution.
"The average person who does not interact with poultry or dairy farms is at very low risk of avian flu," Dr. Kasper says.
There is concern that bird flu could enter the food production and distribution across America. This is why the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is closely monitoring dairy and poultry farms, to try and limit any possible contamination of dairy, meat or poultry products.
The bird flu continues to be rarely seen in humans, as only 67 cases (as of January 15) have been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most cases have been mild, Dr. Kasper says.
Focus on the facts. For certain people, the risk of serious respiratory illness remains high. These include adults ages 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities, pregnant people, people with certain health conditions and those living in rural areas.
Family Features - During the fall and winter months, respiratory infections such as flu, COVID-19 and RSV can surge. People who are vaccinated lower their risk of getting seriously ill and needing medical care if they get infected.
About 70% of adults in the United States said they probably or definitely will get a flu shot, and more than 50% said they probably or definitely will get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. While many people are ready to get this season's vaccines, others might still have questions.
Photos courtesy USDHHS
"It is normal for people to have questions about vaccines," said Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, which oversees and reviews vaccine clinical trials. "It's important for everyone to know that all vaccines go through extensive testing before they are approved and that following approval, they are carefully monitored to identify any safety concerns so that they can be addressed quickly. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers have taken part in respiratory vaccine trials. The results tell us that these vaccines are safe and effective in preventing severe disease caused by flu, COVID-19 and RSV."
Here are some ways to talk about the importance of this season's vaccines with a family member or friend who is unsure about getting vaccinated.
Hear them out. When talking about vaccination, it's important to make others feel heard. There are many reasons why people may have questions and concerns about vaccines or even the health care system in general. Listen to their thinking and try not to judge. They want to know their thoughts and feelings matter.
Focus on the facts. Instead of calling out vaccine myths, focus on vaccine truths. Concentrating on myths can cause them to become the topic of your conversation. Instead, speak about the benefits of vaccines. For instance, you can mention vaccines cut your risk of being hospitalized for flu or COVID-19 by about half.
Ask if they need help getting vaccinated. Sometimes, people just need some help to find, schedule and get a vaccination. You can help them find a vaccine location at Vaccines.gov. They may also need help finding child care or figuring out whether they can take time off from work. Offering a ride or accompanying them can also be helpful, especially if the closest vaccination site is far away. If English is not their primary language, offer to help them schedule the appointment and arrange for a medical translator if needed. When it's easier to get vaccinated, people are more likely to take this important step to help protect their health.
Having open, honest and supportive conversations about vaccines with family members and friends can make all the difference. For more information, visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore or talk to your doctor.
Flu, COVID-19 and RSV Vaccines Help People Risk Less Severe Illness and Do More of What They Enjoy
This season's vaccines are now available. Everyone 6 months and older should get an updated flu and COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone ages 75 and older, or 60 and older with certain health conditions such as such as heart disease, lung disease, obesity or diabetes, should get an RSV vaccine if they have not been vaccinated for RSV before.
For certain people, the risk of serious respiratory illness remains high. These include adults ages 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities, pregnant people, people with certain health conditions and those living in rural areas. People in some racial and ethnic groups, including people who are Black or Hispanic, are also at higher risk. People who are not up to date on flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines can reduce their risk by getting their 2024-25 vaccines as soon as they can.
NAPSI - While there’s no distinct COVID-19 season like there is for the flu, it’s been shown that COVID-19 can peak during the winter months. To help fight respiratory illnesses, it’s recommended you get a flu vaccination, as well as the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people six months and older, with rare exception, should get the updated annual flu vaccine, ideally by the end of October. The CDC also recommends that everyone ages six months and older should get the updated 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine, unless otherwise noted, to help restore and enhance protection against the currently circulating virus variants.
It’s especially important to protect certain populations. This includes those at increased risk of complications from severe flu or COVID-19 illness, such as adults 65 and older, people with certain immunocompromising or chronic medical conditions, infants, children younger than two and pregnant women.
“Preventive vaccinations are the best way to protect yourself and your family from seasonal illnesses,” said Dr. Sree Chaguturu, executive vice president and chief medical officer at CVS Health. “Access to preventive vaccinations is critical to keeping communities healthy.”
According to Dr. Chaguturu, it’s helpful to understand the science behind vaccines so people feel informed and safe getting vaccinated.
Myth #1: You should wait until flu season peaks to get vaccinated.
According to the CDC, the timing of flu season is difficult to predict and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. It’s important to get vaccinated before flu season peaks or outbreaks occur in your area since it takes about two weeks for your body to build up protection after getting vaccinated.
Myth #2: You can’t receive other vaccinations with the flu shot.
The CDC says patients can get a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccine and other eligible vaccines. At CVS Pharmacy, patients can schedule multiple vaccinations in one appointment.
Myth #3: You don’t need updated vaccinations for the flu.
Getting the flu shot every year is essential because the body’s protection from the vaccine declines over time. Also, flu viruses vary yearly, so receiving the latest vaccine formulation provides optimal protection.
Flu shot appointments (for up to four people in one appointment) can be scheduled at CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic by visiting CVS.com or the CVS Pharmacy app.
by Arthur Allen and Eliza Fawcett, Healthbeat Rebecca Grapevine, Healthbeat
Because viruses evolve as they infect people, the CDC has recommended updated covid vaccines each year.
The FDA has approved an updated covid shot for everyone 6 months old and up, which renews a now-annual quandary for Americans: Get the shot now, with the latest covid outbreak sweeping the country, or hold it in reserve for the winter wave?
The new vaccine should provide some protection to everyone. But many healthy people who have already been vaccinated or have immunity because they’ve been exposed to covid enough times may want to wait a few months.
Covid has become commonplace. For some, it’s a minor illness with few symptoms. Others are laid up with fever, cough, and fatigue for days or weeks. A much smaller group — mostly older or chronically ill people — suffer hospitalization or death.
It’s important for those in high-risk groups to get vaccinated, but vaccine protection wanes after a few months. Those who run to get the new vaccine may be more likely to fall ill this winter when the next wave hits, said William Schaffner, an infectious disease professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and a spokesperson for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
On the other hand, by late fall the major variants may have changed, rendering the vaccine less effective, said Peter Marks, the FDA’s top vaccine official, at a briefing Aug. 23. He urged everyone eligible to get immunized, noting that the risk of long covid is greater in the un- and undervaccinated.
Of course, if last year’s covid vaccine rollout is any guide, few Americans will heed his advice, even though this summer’s surge has been unusually intense, with levels of the covid virus in wastewater suggesting infections are as widespread as they were in the winter.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now looks to wastewater as fewer people are reporting test results to health authorities. The wastewater data shows the epidemic is worst in Western and Southern states. In New York, for example, levels are considered “high” — compared with “very high” in Georgia.
Hospitalizations and deaths due to covid have trended up, too. But unlike infections, these rates are nowhere near those seen in winter surges, or in summers past. More than 2,000 people died of covid in July — a high number but a small fraction of the at least 25,700 covid deaths in July 2020.
Partial immunity built up through vaccines and prior infections deserves credit for this relief. A new study suggests that current variants may be less virulent — in the study, one of the recent variants did not kill mice exposed to it, unlike most earlier covid variants.
Alexandra Koch/Pixabay
Public health officials note that even with more cases this summer, people seem to be managing their sickness at home. “We did see a little rise in the number of cases, but it didn’t have a significant impact in terms of hospitalizations and emergency room visits,” said Manisha Juthani, public health commissioner of Connecticut, at a news briefing Aug. 21.
Unlike influenza or traditional cold viruses, covid seems to thrive outside the cold months, when germy schoolkids, dry air, and indoor activities are thought to enable the spread of air- and saliva-borne viruses. No one is exactly sure why.
“Covid is still very transmissible, very new, and people congregate inside in air-conditioned rooms during the summer,” said John Moore, a virologist and professor at Cornell University’s Weill Cornell Medicine College.
Or “maybe covid is more tolerant of humidity or other environmental conditions in the summer,” said Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University.
Because viruses evolve as they infect people, the CDC has recommended updated covid vaccines each year. Last fall’s booster was designed to target the omicron variant circulating in 2023. This year, mRNA vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer and the protein-based vaccine from Novavax — which has yet to be approved by the FDA — target a more recent omicron variant, JN.1.
The FDA determined that the mRNA vaccines strongly protected people from severe disease and death — and would do so even though earlier variants of JN.1 are now being overtaken by others.
Public interest in covid vaccines has waned, with only 1 in 5 adults getting vaccinated since last September, compared with about 80% who got the first dose. New Yorkers have been slightly above the national vaccination rate, while in Georgia only about 17% got the latest shot.
Vaccine uptake is lower in states where the majority voted for Donald Trump in 2020 and among those who have less money and education, less health care access, or less time off from work. These groups are also more likely to be hospitalized or die of the disease, according to a 2023 study in The Lancet.
While the newly formulated vaccines are better targeted at the circulating covid variants, uninsured and underinsured Americans may have to rush if they hope to get one for free. A CDC program that provided boosters to 1.5 million people over the last year ran out of money and is ending Aug. 31.
The agency drummed up $62 million in unspent funds to pay state and local health departments to provide the new shots to those not covered by insurance. But “that may not go very far” if the vaccine costs the agency around $86 a dose, as it did last year, said Kelly Moore, CEO of Immunize.org, which advocates for vaccination.
People who pay out-of-pocket at pharmacies face higher prices: CVS plans to sell the updated vaccine for $201.99, said Amy Thibault, a spokesperson for the company.
“Price can be a barrier, access can be a barrier” to vaccination, said David Scales, an assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Without an access program that provides vaccines to uninsured adults, “we’ll see disparities in health outcomes and disproportionate outbreaks in the working poor, who can ill afford to take off work,” Kelly Moore said.
New York state has about $1 million to fill the gaps when the CDC’s program ends, said Danielle De Souza, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Health. That will buy around 12,500 doses for uninsured and underinsured adults, she said. There are roughly one million uninsured people in the state.
CDC and FDA experts last year decided to promote annual fall vaccination against covid and influenza along with a one-time respiratory syncytial virus shot for some groups.
It would be impractical for the vaccine-makers to change the covid vaccine’s recipe twice every year, and offering the three vaccines during one or two health care visits appears to be the best way to increase uptake of all of them, said Schaffner, who consults for the CDC’s policy-setting Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
At its next meeting, in October, the committee is likely to urge vulnerable people to get a second dose of the same covid vaccine in the spring, for protection against the next summer wave, he said.
If you’re in a vulnerable population and waiting to get vaccinated until closer to the holiday season, Schaffner said, it makes sense to wear a mask and avoid big crowds, and to get a test if you think you have covid. If positive, people in these groups should seek medical attention since the antiviral pill Paxlovid might ameliorate their symptoms and keep them out of the hospital.
As for conscientious others who feel they may be sick and don’t want to spread the covid virus, the best advice is to get a single test and, if positive, try to isolate for a few days and then wear a mask for several days while avoiding crowded rooms. Repeat testing after a positive result is pointless, since viral particles in the nose may remain for days without signifying a risk of infecting others, Schaffner said.
The Health and Human Services Department is making four free covid tests available to anyone who requests them starting in late September through covidtest.gov, said Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response, at the Aug. 23 briefing.
The government is focusing its fall vaccine advocacy campaign, which it’s calling “Risk less, live more,” on older people and nursing home residents, said HHS spokesperson Jeff Nesbit.
Not everyone may really need a fall covid booster, but “it’s not wrong to give people options,” John Moore said. “The 20-year-old athlete is less at risk than the 70-year-old overweight dude. It’s as simple as that.”
KFF Health News correspondent Amy Maxmen contributed to this report.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.
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Fatal heart attack risks may be higher during days with extreme heat & air pollution
The combination of soaring heat and smothering fine particulate pollution may double the risk of heart attack death, according to a new study of more than 202,000 heart attack deaths in China. The study published today in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal Circulation.
ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden's Tyler Hess is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal in the first half. The junior led the team to a 5-3 win over University High on Wednesday at Dick Duval Field. Hess, who is the top finisher in the area with a hat trick in the team's first three matches this season, will try to make it four in a row in the undefeated Spartans' road game against the Vermilion Valley Conference's Hoopeston Area Cornjerkers on Friday. More photos and a game recap coming soon.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people six months and older, with rare exception, should get the updated annual flu vaccine, ideally by the end of October. The CDC also recommends that everyone ages six months and older should get the updated 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine, unless otherwise noted, to help restore and enhance protection against the currently circulating virus variants.
It’s especially important to protect certain populations. This includes those at increased risk of complications from severe flu or COVID-19 illness, such as adults 65 and older, people with certain immunocompromising or chronic medical conditions, infants, children younger than two and pregnant women.
“Preventive vaccinations are the best way to protect yourself and your family from seasonal illnesses,” said Dr. Sree Chaguturu, executive vice president and chief medical officer at CVS Health. “Access to preventive vaccinations is critical to keeping communities healthy.”
According to Dr. Chaguturu, it’s helpful to understand the science behind vaccines so people feel informed and safe getting vaccinated.
Myth #1: You should wait until flu season peaks to get vaccinated.
According to the CDC, the timing of flu season is difficult to predict and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. It’s important to get vaccinated before flu season peaks or outbreaks occur in your area since it takes about two weeks for your body to build up protection after getting vaccinated.
Myth #2: You can’t receive other 
