Why You Should Get Vaccinated Against Covid-19
Pumpkin spice, the kids are going back to school, scary movies: these are the pinnacles of what fall means, right? What some people do not know is that the scariest thing about the season isn’t dropping your pumpkin spice latte right after getting it, or being chased by an immortal serial killer. One of the scariest things about autumn is that it is also the arrival of flu season. As people begin to retreat inside their homes and gather with loved ones, we are also unintentionally spreading more than just seasonal cheer.
The CDC has looked at research that was collected in the UK and Canada that uncovers what we already know: vaccinations do work against the spread of COVID-19. According to the CDC, “The greatest risk of transmission is among unvaccinated people who are much more likely to get infected, and therefore transmit the virus.” By getting vaccinated, the risk of contracting COVID-19 is much lower than abstaining from the jab altogether.
It is not all good news though, as the Delta variant is 3.5 to 4 times more contagious than the original strain that the United States first . This can be a problem as vaccination rates are high or low depending on pockets of populations throughout California (and the United States), which means more people are getting sick, and more strains can be mutated, which is how Delta was born.
What is the Delta strain? The WHO reclassified new strains that emerged with names after Greek letters such as Alpha, Beta, and Gamma to differentiate strains that emerged as one of the Variants of Concern (VOC). It first emerged on the world’s theater in December 2020 in India, but did not become the most common strain seen in medical settings in the United States until March 2021. It is also the strain that is less likely to cause the infamous change in scent and taste, but more likely for sufferers to experience other symptoms.
If you are concerned you may be experiencing COVID-19 or flu symptoms such as a fever, a cough, a sore throat, or have a runny or stuffy nose, remember to stay home. Be sure to contact a healthcare provider or emergency room before checking into a facility if your symptoms become worse, you have trouble breathing, or are experiencing a worsening of other chronic conditions.
So what can we do? Get vaccinated! One of the most important things you can do for your health and the health of your loved ones is to be up to date on your vaccinations. Individuals from the ages of 12 and older qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine. Based on your location, the availability of an appointment either for the flu or for COVID can be as simple as a click away. If you are in Los Angeles County, a COVID-19 vaccine appointment are available here and on the San Bernardino and Riverside County websites.
To make a flu vaccination appointment, you can also search pharmacies through this online directory, or you can visit your local CVS, Rite Aid, or Walgreens.
Contracting COVID-19 can have lasting health implications. According to the CDC, long haul COVID is when COVID symptoms last longer than four weeks, or the development of new ones of four weeks or more. There are newer symptoms that being reported, even from mild cases of COVID, such as changes to smell or taste, changes to menstrual cycles, sleeping problems, or a difficulty concentrating or thinking. Here at Healthpointe, we have a dedicated team of physicians who want to be there with you every step of your health journey.
Our Board Certified physicians are here to help. Visit our COVID Recovery Program website for more information. For more information on what Healthpointe can offer you, you can schedule an appointment with us by visiting the Healthpointe website or by giving us a call at (800) 956-2663. We have locations in Anaheim, Colton, Corona, Garden Grove, Irwindale, La Mirada, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Ontario, Perris, and Temecula.