A message from Dr. Jennifer Trieu, GRMDC medical director:

As we progress into the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are some things that have stayed the same but a lot that has changed. It is important to stay up to date on the most recent recommendations from healthcare professionals.  Please refer to the CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html) or ask your primary care provider for the most up-to-date guidance. 

If you haven't had COVID yet, you can still get it.  If you have had COVID, you can get it again.  Many around you likely have had COVID, maybe even twice by now.  To protect yourself and others around you, make sure you are fully vaccinated including your bivalent booster which has been available since September 2022.  The newest COVID vaccine protects against the original COVID virus and the newer variants (i.e. Omicron).

You are eligible for a booster if:

• You are 5 years or older
• You completed a primary vaccination series 
• It has been 2 months since your last vaccine dose

Additionally, you may have noticed that regular "cold" respiratory viruses are back (i.e. RSV).  Wearing a mask, distancing, and washing hands often can still protect from getting the cold or influenza virus.  Please be sure to get the annual influenza vaccine; GRMDC is vaccinating every day!

As always, our priority is your health and we strongly encourage everyone to get the bivalent COVID booster and the flu vaccine.  This will give you the best chance to stay healthy and protect your family and friends from viruses this year. 

We wish you good health this season!

Jennifer Trieu, MD