Will You Need To Roll Up Your Sleeve Again?
With the nation well on the way to achieving the President’s goal of getting 70% of adults vaccinated against COVID-19 by July, things are looking promising to ending the pandemic here in the United States. The number of new cases is dropping in most areas of the country. However, it’s not so rosy in other parts of the world. As new variants take hold, scientists are hard at work developing booster shots to extend immunity and protect us against these new strains. As one immunologist told ABC News, the “goal is to prevent future outbreaks – not react to them.”
It’s unknown exactly how long the current vaccines will protect us, and experts think we may need a booster dose within a year. According to CNN, some believe the coronavirus may end up being like influenza, which requires a new vaccine every year because of constantly mutating strands and an immunity that wears off. On the bright side, for those people who dread shots, there is thought in the medical community that future coronavirus vaccines could possibly be combined with the flu vaccine – meaning one vaccine would protect you against both viruses.
Science has proven that the COVID-19 vaccines work. They are protecting people from contracting serious cases of coronavirus which result in hospitalizations or death. The vaccines are also helping stop the spread because more people have immunity. Now officials hope the country will be as responsive if called upon to receive booster shots to ward off a resurgence.
The Seniors Trust is committed to improving the lives of seniors by working to improve Social Security – and by highlighting important information about COVID-19 and the vaccines.
We urge Congress to pass the Social Security Expansion Act. This landmark piece of legislation will provide bigger monthly Social Security benefits, establish a more realistic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for seniors, and guarantee the long-term solvency of the Social Security program.
