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Be prepared: Stay up to date with your COVID-19 and Flu shots!

Graphic with light green background and color blocks in blue shades with text and photo. Graphic includes quote form the post and image of a white man with brown hair and a beard with both of his sleeves rolled up showing his shoulders with red Band-Aids on each shoulder, followed by the campaign slogan ‘Protect your community. Secure your shot.’ SC Disability Vaccine Access Network logo appears in the bottom right corner.

Colder weather has arrived, and that means flu season is just around the corner. People will gather inside to stay warm. It's likely that COVID-19 cases will go up as people spend time indoors. It is important to do everything you can to protect yourself and your community. Stay up to date on your COVID-19 and flu vaccinations! Keep reading to learn about:

  • The new COVID-19 booster
  • Why it is important to stay up to date
  • How to get your COVID-19 and flu shots
 

Why should I get the COVID-19 and flu vaccines?

If you have a disability, you are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 and the flu. It’s important that you get your vaccines and stay up to date with all your booster shots. Here are some reasons why you should stay up to date on your shots: 

If you have a disability and get COVID-19 or the flu, you are more likely to:

  • Become very sick
  • Need to go to the hospital
  • Die from COVID-19 and the flu

Many people have stopped wearing masks or trying to protect themselves from COVID-19. Now it is more likely that both flu and COVID-19 cases will go up this winter. These things are less likely to happen to you when you stay up to date on your shots:

  • The COVID-19 vaccine will help protect you from Long COVID
  • Getting your shots will protect you, your loved ones, and the rest of your community
  • Getting your shots will make you less likely to spread these viruses if you get sick

Can I get the COVID-19 and flu shots at the same time? 

You might be worried about getting your COVID-19 and flu shots at the same time. We have good news for you! Scientists and doctors say it’s safe to get both shots at the same time. Many people have gotten their COVID and flu shots at the same time, already. If you’re still worried, you should ask your doctor if this is the best choice for you

Graphic with light green background and color blocks in blue shades with text and photo. Photo is of Mary Alex a white woman with curly brown hair smiling for a selfie with her left arm sleeve rolled up to show her two Band-Aids from her COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Text copies the quote from the post, followed by the campaign slogan ‘Protect your community. Secure your shot.’ SC Disability Vaccine Access Network logo appears in the bottom right corner.

Updates on the new COVID-19 Bivalent Booster 

A new bivalent booster shot is now available. Keep reading to learn about it.

I’ve already got the COVID-19 vaccine, why do I need to get another shot?

  • Vaccines help strengthen your body to fight against viruses or sickness. But the good effects of the vaccine get weak over time. Getting your COVID-19 booster shot helps continue your protection. When you are up to date on your shots you are less likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
  • Because the flu virus changes over time, last year’s shot may not protect you from this year’s virus. Getting the most updated shot will help you stay protected.
  • Research shows that getting your booster shot is important. Getting your booster shot helps keep you healthy. If you still get sick, getting your booster shot can keep you out of the hospital.
  • Don't forget, if you don't get your COVID-19 booster or flu shot, and you have a disability or health condition, you are more likely to get very sick.

What is the new bivalent COVID-19 booster shot?

  • Because of COVID-19 variants, the original COVID-19 vaccines can't protect you on their own.
  • The new bivalent COVID-19 booster shot is an updated booster shot. It fights against the omicron variant and the original COVID-19 virus. 
  • The new bivalent booster shot provides you with more protection for a longer period of time.
  • Get your booster today to stay up to date! Get your booster to protect yourself and your community! 

How to get and stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations 

People ages 6 months and older should get their COVID-19 vaccines. Everyone ages 5 and up should get the new bivalent booster shots. It is time to get your booster if it has been at least 2 months since your last shot.

If you got your COVID-19 vaccine over 2 months ago, you must get your booster shot to be up to date! If you are not up to date on your shots, then you are not protected from COVID-19, severe sickness, and death.

Graphic with teal, blue, and green squares and text that reads, 'Bivalent- what's up with the new boosters? The shot you need to stay healthy this fall and winter! SCDisabilityvaccine.org, 1-800-787-6046. Protect your community. Secure your shot.' Graphic includes image of older person with cropped graying black hair and brown skin showing their bandaid on their left arm while wearing a facemask giving thumbs up to the viewer. In the background a vaccine provider is also wearing a facemask and giving a thumbs up.

Do you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccination? Are you up to date on your shots? Do you know if your family or friends are up to date with your COVID-19 shots? The South Carolina Disability Vaccine Access Network is here to help! Check out our website for answers to your COVID-19 vaccine-related questions. Call our hotline at 1-800-787-6046 to talk to someone about COVID-19 and your vaccine plan.

Want to learn more about the new bivalent booster?  Visit the CDC website.

 
Graphic with light green background and color blocks in blue shades with text and photo. Graphic includes a quote from the post and image of a white man with cropped brown hair and beard wearing glasses and holding his mouth open as if surprised and happy, his sleeve rolled up to show two bandaids. Photo followed by the campaign slogan ‘Protect your community. Secure your shot.’ SC Disability Vaccine Access Network logo appears in the bottom right corner. Forrest shared, 'Getting the flu vaccine has been an annual routine for me. It is really easy to get the new COVID vaccine at the same time. I am doing it to continue to keep those around me healthy and safe.'

How to get a Flu Shot

  • You should get your flu shot by the end of October. Getting your flu shot protects you and your family from the flu. Cases start to go up when it gets colder. You can still get a flu shot later if you didn't get one in October.  
  • Contact your doctor to ask about getting your flu shot. You can also get your flu shot at a local pharmacy. Visit SCDHEC’s website to find vaccine locations.
  • If your kids are in school, call and ask if the school plans to have a flu shot clinic!
  • There are many different options for the flu shot. Talk to your doctor if you're not sure which shot to get.
  • The most common types of flu vaccines: 
  • Flu shot: Given with a needle in your arm.
  • Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine: Live flu vaccine given in a nose spray.
  • You should not get the nasal spray flu vaccine if you have certain disabilities. These would be disabilities that weaken your immune system or a cochlear implant. 

There are many other types of flu shots. To learn about all of the flu shots, you can visit the CDC website.

 

www.SCDisabilityVaccine.org

Contact our Vaccine Access Helpline at 1-800-787-6046.

COVID-19 Vaccination & Booster Timeline:

Pfizer Vaccine (mRNA)

For Ages 6 months to 4 years:

Primary vaccine series:

  • 3 total shots
  • First 2 shots given 3 to 8 weeks apart*
  • Third shot is given 8 weeks after 2nd shot

For Ages 5 and Up:

Primary vaccine series:

  • First 2 shots given 3 to 8 weeks apart*

Moderna Vaccine (mRNA)

For Ages 6 Months and Up:

Primary vaccine series:

  • First 2 shots given 4 weeks to 8 weeks apart*

J&J Vaccine (viral vector)

For Ages 18 and Up:

One dose primary vaccine:

  • 1 shot

Novavax (protein subunit)

For Ages 12 and Up:

Primary vaccine series:

  • 2 total shots given 3 weeks apart

Booster Shots:

For Ages 5 and up:

NEW Updated Booster:

  • You should get the updated booster, 2 months after your last primary vaccine shot OR booster shot. You do not have to have any additional booster shots to get the updated booster.
    • Children age 5: This booster shot can only be Pfizer.
    • People age 6 and older: This booster shot can be Pfizer or Moderna

*A longer time between the 1st and 2nd shot may give you more protection and minimize rare side effects. Talk to your doctor about the timing for the 2nd dose in your primary series. Talk to your doctor about which booster shots are right for you and the best time to get yours.

Footer with “SC Disability Vaccine Access Network” and partner logos below. From left to right: Able SC, AccessAbility, Disability Rights South Carolina, Walton Options, UofSC Center for Disability Resources, South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council.”

 

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