Public health expert address COVID vaccine misconceptions

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – According to the CDC current 7-day average of weekly new covid cases.  

Covid cases have decreased by 9.2 percent going from 22,035 to 19,999 cases. 

But even with the decline in covid-19 reported cases.  

Regional Health Administrator for the U.S Department of Health and Human Services of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri, Dr. Catherine Satterwhite, says there is some confusion about being fully vaccinated.  

“People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID if they have two things first their primary dose completed and second, they’re updated shot so that includes what we call the bivalent shot which gives you that boosted immunity to address some of the currently circulating strain,” Satterwhite. 

Vaccines are important to reduce the risk of death and to help with long covid. Long covid are symptoms. That can last weeks, months, or even years after infection.  

“They’re safe they’re effective and they can keep people out of the hospital and keep them from dying So what those updated vaccines can do very similar to the primary series is reduce your risk of having something bad happen,” Satterwhite. 

Satterwhite says to continue to be up to date with your vaccines, not just the COVID ones. 

“Make sure they’re up to date on all their vaccines .. that includes the updated COVID-19 shot but it also includes things like your tetanus-diphtheria and pertussis shots measles shots and things like that, particularly for kids,” Satterwhite.