The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department announced Friday that the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for fall is now available through several local pharmacies, health care providers and clinics in the community.
“We expect to see an increase in respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 as we move through fall and into winter,” says Kerry Kernen, Assistant Health Director. “The virus that causes COVID-19 is always changing and the updated vaccine helps our bodies develop protection against the newest variants that may be circulating in the community.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone age 6 months and older. This includes those who have previously received COVID-19 vaccine and those who have had COVID-19.
Kernan says getting the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine is especially important for those age 65 years and older, those at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, those living in long-term care facilities and people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, or who might become pregnant in the future.
The CDC says COVID-19 vaccination also reduces the chance of suffering the effects of long COVID, which can occur during or following infection and last for an extended period of time. In addition to COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC also recommends flu vaccine for everyone age 6 months and older.
This fall, every household can order four free at-home COVID-19 tests through the federal government at covidtests.gov. COVID-19 tests are also available in the main lobby of the Health Department during regular business hours and at all Lincoln City Library locations.