Updated COVID Variant Booster Shot? The Reassuring Status And Distribution of COVID shots in Ohio

Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration has approved the updated versions of the vaccines that can fight several Omicron variants of the COVID-19 virus.

These boosters are designed to target and fight the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of the Omicron variant, while the other boosters are designed to target a certain variant of COVID-19.

The updated vaccines are to be administered to the public following the approval.

Maddie Young, a registered nurse who works at the Cleveland Clinic’s main campus, describes the basic workings behind the boosters and what they are designed to do within the human body.

“With the first shot of the vaccine, your body gets a recognition of the virus so when your body comes into contact with the virus your body can handle it appropriately and in doing so your symptoms won’t be as bad”.

Young says the vaccine is effective, but over time the effectiveness wears off and a booster is given to keep that high alert status, meaning the body will be constantly working to provide the body with a recognition for a potential infection.

“It’s all about effectiveness and keeping your body in check,” Young said, “The virus can still be caught even if vaccinated, but the symptoms won’t be as severe. No one wants to experience the severe symptoms, they are life-threatening and malicious.”

Alex Sulzer, a Neuro-oncology nurse at the Cleveland Clinic, urges those who aren’t vaccinated to strongly consider getting  vaccinated and getting a booster as well. In her experience, she has seen a huge difference from the start of the pandemic to the present day noting that the vaccine has contributed to the reduced amount of severe symptoms, making them appear like those with a cold or with the flu.

“It may not be a popular opinion,” Sulzer said, “but we tell our patients it’s not political, it’s all about health and we want them to be vaccinated to protect them as well as their family members from being heavily hospitalized and potentially die from this virus.”

While Sulzer says the vaccine is effective, she, alongside Young’s statements, also says that the booster shots are needed to keep the effectiveness up and symptoms in check. She expresses the nature of the virus and its potential to cause more harm to the human body.

“As the virus is out, it starts to mutate and change due to its interaction with external factors, and the vaccines we have start to become less effective against these changes, but the updated boosters that we are developing and the ones that are already developed are designed to target each variant and help prevent the condition from becoming worse,” Sulzer reiterates.    

Tyler Lucas, a registered nurse who works in an intensive care unit, describes the availability of COVID vaccine shots and boosters as the vaccine is offered at multiple locations ranging from local pharmacies, hospitals, and health centers.

“Any local pharmacy like CVS and Walgreens are able to provide you with a covid shot or booster, almost like you’re getting a flu shot every season. You can schedule ahead to make an appointment and get it right away.”

Lucas explains how the process takes just a tiny fragment of time out of a person’s day and how people became more assured in getting a COVID shot or booster through the simplicity of the method and wide range of locations.

“It’s easy,” Lucas says, “It can even be administered through a walk-in appointment where you can get the shot, wait 15 or so minutes to make sure you don’t have any symptoms, and then leave and go about the day.”

Every Thursday, the Ohio Government Coronavirus Website updates the status of the total Ohio vaccinated population, which is categorized by age. The website also includes the cases reported, current death rates, and hospitalizations in the state. Estimated future trends of COVID cases everyday in Ohio are speculated at the Mayo Clinic website, as trends can vary from county to county.