FAMILY HEALTH 4 COVID-19 vaccine updates Age groups People 5 years of age and older are now eligible to get a free COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine effectiveness COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of getting sick or very ill with COVID-19 by 90% or more. Data suggest that they protect against the spread of COVID-19. Some people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will still get sick. That’s because no vaccines are 100% effective. These are called vaccine breakthrough cases. But data suggest that vaccines may make their symptoms less severe. To receive the most protection, people should receive all doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. FDA approval The Pfizer vaccine has been fully approved for people ages 16 and older by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It can now be marketed under a brand name. Comirnaty is the brand name for this vaccine. It will still be available for ages 5 to 15. But it won’t be marketed with the brand name for that age group. The Moderna vaccine has been fully approved by the FDA for people ages 18 and older. It can now be marketed under a brand name. Spikevax is the brand name for this vaccine. With full FDA approval, it’s likely more vaccine mandates will be put in place. People may be more swayed to get the vaccine. Booster shots COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are now available for everyone 12 and up. Any adult can get a COVID-19 booster if it has been: y Five months since they completed their primary Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series. y Two months since they received one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. And anyone 12 to 17 years old can get a Pfizer booster five months after completing their primary Pfizer vaccine series. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Food and Drug Administration Did your doctor order an A1C blood test? The A1C test, also known as the hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test, is a simple blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past three months. It’s one of the commonly used tests to pinpoint prediabetes and diabetes. The A1C blood test is the main test to help you and your health care team manage your diabetes. Higher A1C levels are linked to diabetes health problems. Normal Below 5.7% Prediabetes 5.7% to 6.4% Diabetes 6.5% or above The higher your A1C, the greater your risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
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