PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

The 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be ready for distribution in September, and health officials are urging people to keep their vaccinations up to date.

“The virus mutates pretty rapidly, so to match what’s currently out there, people need to get the new vaccine,” says Dr. Kristen Mertz, the Allegheny County Health Department’s medical epidemiologist. “Even if it doesn’t prevent infection, it’ll prevent hospitalization and death. It also helps to prevent long COVID.”

Last year, only 20%-25% of the general population in Allegheny County got the latest vaccine. That number was slightly higher for the older population and slightly lower for children, Mertz says. Twice as many people got a flu shot as got a COVID shot.

“We’re hoping this year we can increase the number of people who get the 24-25 vaccine,” Mertz says.

Over the winter, there were about 40 deaths per month and more than 150 hospitalizations per week in Allegheny County due to COVID.

“I don’t think a lot of people know people are still dying and there are still a lot of hospitalizations,” Mertz says. “I think every year our death rate goes down as people have more and more immunity from either vaccination or previous infection, but we still get quite a few deaths … it’s not nothing for sure.”

Everyone 6 months and older should get the new COVID vaccine each year. Last year, the FDA authorized a second shot for people aged 65 and over, but not many people got that shot either, Mertz says. 

“The immunity does wane after a few months,” she says. “We obviously wish more people would get vaccinated.”

Cases of COVID-19 in Allegheny County have surged this summer, and Mertz says it’s typical for cases to spike twice each year, once around the holidays and once during the summer.

“We were at a low point in April/May and in June/July/August, cases have been going up pretty steadily. Hospitalizations are going up, emergency room visits are going up.

“Vaccination’s definitely the way to go.”

If you test positive for COVID, you should be fever-free and see your symptoms improving for 24 hours before leaving the house. “Ideally, people should wear a mask for the next five days,” Mertz says. 

Those who are high-risk should contact their health care provider for treatment if they test positive. Paxlovid, the main anti-viral medication people can take, helps to prevent hospitalization and works better the sooner a person takes it, Mertz says.

When the 2024-2025 vaccine is available, it will be offered at pharmacies and health care providers’ offices as well as the Allegheny County Health Department, Downtown.

The flu vaccine is currently becoming available, and anyone 75 and over should also get vaccinated for RSV going into the fall. Pregnant women should also get vaccinated for RSV between weeks 32-36 of pregnancy, or, alternatively, babies could get a shot of antibodies right after giving birth, because RSV is most dangerous for babies and those over 75.