Short answers for common questions
Written by L. M. Land
I keep hearing about Bivalent vaccines. What does that mean?
Bivalent is a term meaning that the vaccine has been updated with two virus strains, the original one and the BA.4/BA.5 Omicron subvariants.
CAN I GET COVID FROM THE VACCINE?
No. Both of the current COVID-19 vaccines are Messenger RNA vaccines, or mRNA. They make proteins that create an immune response in our bodies. They are not made with live virus, so you cannot get COVID from the vaccine.
However, it can take weeks for your immune system to build up immunity. Exposure before immunity builds could leave you at risk for full-blown COVID and/or long COVID.
CAN I GET COVID AFTER MY IMMUNITY BUILDS UP?
Some people do, but it will be less severe. You only need to think about how many of your friends and family were in the hospital two years ago vs. today to see that this is true.
I want a COVID vaccine. Where do I find one?
In Genesee County: https://www.geneseecountymi.gov/departments/health_department/coronavirus/clinics.php
WHAT ARE THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GETTING A VACCINE?
Most people ages 6 years and older who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised and have received one dose of a bivalent mRNA vaccine do not need any further vaccine doses at this time. People ages 65 years and older who received one dose of a bivalent vaccine have the option to receive one additional dose at least four months after the first bivalent dose.
There are exceptions to this rule, of course, and they are complicated. Any further questions should be directed to your healthcare provider, especially for those who are immunocompromised.
How will the transfer of the vaccine cost to private insurance companies at the end of the year affect me?
Most insurance carriers are covering the vaccines at least for the short term. The one group who may have difficulties is those with ‘in-network’ and ‘out-of-network’ policies. These would be Medicare Advantage plans, some private plans and a few others. If you get the vaccine from an out-of-network provider, you will be responsible to pay all or part of the vaccine and administration fees. Call your insurance carrier to find out where your vaccine will be covered. The actual vaccine costs are not known yet but it could be $150ish per injection.
Costs for Covid treatments such as Paxlovid and Lagevrio, will fall under your pharmacy policy, and the copay/deductible coverage will vary by carrier and policy.
Contact your insurance carrier with questions.
The Courier has a detailed article regarding coverage for vaccines in the May 21, 2023 edition, also on-line at https://theflintcouriernews.com/covid-19-public-health-emergency-changes-and-you/
How do the COVID-19 numbers look in our region lately?
Genesee County is currently at low risk for COVID, but only 6.8% of the population has gotten the bivalent vaccine update. We could still easily have another outbreak if we are not collectively cautious.
For state-wide statistics, Genesee County is in region 3 with Saginaw, Alcona, Iosco, Ogemaw, Arenac, Gladwin, Midland, Bay, Tuscola, Lapeer, Sanilac and Huron counties. Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are still hard hit by COVID-19 in our region, with 25 outbreaks.
Between K-12 schools, childcare and various youth programs, there are only three outbreaks. Jails and Detention Centers are doing better with zero outbreaks, and healthcare facilities and shelters for the homeless each have only one outbreak. That is an improvement from two months ago.
The city of Detroit, Macomb and Oakland counties, region 2S, still have high K-12 COVID outbreaks numbering at 53. Nursing homes in the same region are at 34 outbreaks.
For the State of Michigan in 2023, it is clear our most vulnerable populations are long-term care facilities with 137 outbreaks total and 60 outbreaks in K-12 schools. There are 19 outbreaks total for all the other facility types.
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine will not only protect you, but will also protect the loved ones you visit in these locations, and prevent COVID in your home.
Sources:
https://covidactnow.org/us/michigan-mi/county/genesee_county/?s=46443393
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/stats/outbreak-reporting https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/downloads/covid19-vaccination-recommendations-most-people.pdf
https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/basics/types/index.html
https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/how-do-vaccines-work
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/s0419-covid-vaccines.html
