Life in the pandemic has changed since March of 2020. Doctors say there are still precautions to take even during times of lower hospitalizations.The COVID-19 virus has changed over the past two years and vaccines are also changing. “There is a new vaccine that should be out shortly. And it is a combination vaccine that will cover the new variants and that should be effective against the new variants as well as against the older virus,” said Dr. Vesta Sandoval of Lovelace Health Systems. One doctor in New Mexico said the future of the vaccine will likely be a yearly shot. “It’s very likely going to be like the flu. Where we’re taking a shot at least once a year,” said Dr. Denise A. Gonzales. “And they’re tweaking the formulation just like they do for the flu to give us the best coverage.”Although the more recent COVID-19 variants are more contagious, doctors say they aren’t as deadly as the original strain. “These viruses aren’t very infectious, meaning they’re easy to catch and to spread, but they’re not very virulent. And what that means is that they don’t make you as sick,” said Gonzales. Doctors say the vaccines can still prevent long-term symptoms. “One of the things about being vaccinated also is it seems to help prevent long COVID symptoms from developing,” Sandoval said.Gonzales said many of the recent deaths have not been directly caused by COVID-19 but people with other conditions as well.Doctors suggest taking the flu shot and COVID-19 booster at the same time for more protection. Watch the video above for the full story.
Life in the pandemic has changed since March of 2020.
Doctors say there are still precautions to take even during times of lower hospitalizations.
The COVID-19 virus has changed over the past two years and vaccines are also changing.
“There is a new vaccine that should be out shortly. And it is a combination vaccine that will cover the new variants and that should be effective against the new variants as well as against the older virus,” said Dr. Vesta Sandoval of Lovelace Health Systems.
One doctor in New Mexico said the future of the vaccine will likely be a yearly shot.
“It’s very likely going to be like the flu. Where we’re taking a shot at least once a year,” said Dr. Denise A. Gonzales. “And they’re tweaking the formulation just like they do for the flu to give us the best coverage.”
Although the more recent COVID-19 variants are more contagious, doctors say they aren’t as deadly as the original strain.
“These viruses aren’t very infectious, meaning they’re easy to catch and to spread, but they’re not very virulent. And what that means is that they don’t make you as sick,” said Gonzales.
Doctors say the vaccines can still prevent long-term symptoms.
“One of the things about being vaccinated also is it seems to help prevent long COVID symptoms from developing,” Sandoval said.
Gonzales said many of the recent deaths have not been directly caused by COVID-19 but people with other conditions as well.
Doctors suggest taking the flu shot and COVID-19 booster at the same time for more protection.
Watch the video above for the full story.
