Another vaccine booster is likely in our future as we navigate the pandemic and live our life with COVID as a part of it.
Right now, the CDC recommends everyone 5 years and older should get one booster shot and adults 50 years and older 2 boosters. Some people 12 and older who are moderately or severely immuno-compromised should also get 2 boosters.
In its vaccine public service announcement series, the US Department of Health and Human Services posted a video targeting Native people on booster importance.
“It’s the little things that can make all the difference and by getting your covid booster, you’re taking just a little time to protect yourself from serious illness, hospitalization and even death from Covid-19. Everyone 5 and older are eligible.”
Health officials say some people who have been infected can experience long-term effects from their infection. This is called post-COVID conditions or long COVID. These conditions can last weeks, months, or years.
According to the CDC, research suggests that people who are vaccinated but experience a breakthrough infection are less likely to report post-COVID conditions.
Like the CDC, The World Health Organization stresses the need to support post-COVID condition patients. WHO Executive Director for Health Emergencies Dr. Mike Ryan spoke recently about long-term impacts.
“People have this post covid fog, this sense of having brain fog, this lack of energy, this lack of exercise-tolerance. Sometimes those symptoms are nonspecific but it’s well recognized, it’s been well documented that this exists. When you consider the millions, billions of people who have been exposed to this virus, it means that we have a significant number of people suffering from various forms of post covid condition.
Still, officials still say the best protection against covid is to get vaccinated.
The Bemidji Area Indian Health Service office serves Minnesota and nearby states. It has administered nearly 180,000 doses of the vaccine since vaccines became available.
The same office has reported 31,694 positive tests out of nearly 313, Dtests since the beginning of the pandemic
At least once a week, Indian Health Service updates the latest vaccine distribution list and COVID-19 cases on its website.
In related news.
The Minnesota State Fair is back.
The popular fair opens Thursday in St. Paul and goes through Labor Day weekend.
The fair asks If anyone is experiencing Covid-related symptoms, they should not attend the fair.
Guests, employees or volunteers are not required to wear face coverings, have proof of vaccination or need to provide a negative test, according to the fair website. However, that is subject to change.
The fair features hundreds of entertainment options, more than 60 carnival rides, 11 nights of Grandstand shows; and more than 500 different foods.
Visit MNStateFair.org for the latest.
For the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines, contact your local health professional, check the state and federal health websites.
And finally.
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe continues to publicly update its citizens with COVID numbers and restrictions. It is one of the few Minnesota tribes to do so routinely.
Chairwoman Melanie Benjamin updates the tribe at least once a week via YouTube video.
In early August, the tribe shared a different type of health-related update. Ne-I’m-Shing Clinic Dr. Mark Bostrom explained on the tribe’s YouTube page how the Monkeypox virus works and what to watch for.
“This new phenomenon that’s been infecting some people in the United States for the past few months just because there’s been some community members contacting the clinic and having questions about it. So I hope today I can alleviate some fears, give general information and also refer you to the Minnesota Health Department website. They have a nice monkeypox section that can give you some information if you have more interest.”
Dalton Walker reporting for Minnesota Native News
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