S7, Ep 27- Get Vaccinated, Stay Protected: 2024-2025 COVID and Flu Shots

In this episode, we discuss the 2024-2025 fall vaccine lineup, covering everything you need to know to stay protected this season. We start with updates on the latest COVID and flu vaccines, and Zoe shares her personal experience getting these shots. We then dive into the recent approval of self-administered FluMist, exploring how it compares to the traditional injectable flu vaccine in terms of effectiveness and convenience. Plus, we provide a brief update on RSV. Among the highlights in this episode: 00:36: Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, discusses the CDC’s updated COVID vaccine recommendations, emphasizing that everyone aged six months and older should receive the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine 00:48: Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, addresses common questions from the immunocompromised community, highlighting the CDC's guidance on additional COVID doses and the importance of consulting with health care providers 01:13: Steven and Zoe explain the distinction between updated vaccines and boosters, noting that updated vaccines target new strains and are expected to be revised annually 02:24: Steven shares data from 2023, pointing out that most people hospitalized for COVID had not received the updated vaccine, underlining its importance 02:46: Zoe highlights the concern of long COVID and how getting vaccinated can reduce the risk of developing this condition 03:16: Zoe shares her personal experience of getting both the flu and COVID shots together, and gives tips on how to coordinate vaccination plans with a doctor 04:23: Steven introduces the FDA approval of FluMist for self or caregiver administration, explaining how it provides an alternative to the traditional flu shot 06:02: Zoe explains that FluMist is not recommended for the immunocompromised 07:10: Steven discusses the benefits of having options like FluMist, stating that it's good to have more ways to get vaccinated 08:09: Zoe shares insights on managing treatments around vaccine schedules, emphasizing the importance of personalizing health care decisions 09:39: Zoe provides information on the RSV vaccine, mentioning its availability for older adults, pregnant women, and the benefits for newborns 10:09: Steven reminds listeners about the availability of free rapid COVID tests from the federal government, encouraging people to have them on hand during the respiratory virus season 11:04: Zoe announces the launch of the second season of GHLF’s Informed Immunity podcast, which covers topics around vaccines, immunization equity, and debunking myths To listen to all the Informed Immunity episodes, visit: https://ghlf.org/informed-immunity/  or search for the series on your favorite podcast platform 11:28: What our hosts learned from this episode Contact Our Hosts Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: [email protected] Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: [email protected] A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to [email protected] Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.