Many parts of the country are reporting new COVID-19 spikes. The CDC reports that the new variant, EG.5, also called “Eris”, now makes up the largest number of infections nationwide, and is one of the fastest growing worldwide. 

Data from early August shows that hospital admissions rose by 22% compared to the previous week, and reported cases jumped by 55% from the week before.

Take precautions

Since EG.5 is resisting immunity more than Omicron, we need to take precautions by wearing N95 masks in airports, public transportation and indoor venues. We also need to be careful with the elderly and those who are immuno-comprised with conditions like cancer and diabetes.  

In the fall, as more people gather indoors, doctors expect a bigger COVID uptick. For now, it’s recommended that adults and most children get one updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they’ve received any original COVID-19 vaccines.  

A new vaccine is expected in the fall, and we’ll keep you informed about that and provide you with more guidance.  

If you are showing symptoms, we can connect you to your healthcare provider or refer you to a primary care physician. Contact our Health Navigation Center at 844.258.1820. 

The new Omicron variant XBB.1.5, which appeared a few months ago, contains more mutations that evade immunity than any other variant. It is considered to be highly contagious by scientists, which means previous vaccinations or natural antibodies from having the sickness could be less effective against the variant.

The new Omicron variant  XXB.1.5  causes more than 25% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S.—that’s up from less than 10% four weeks ago.

You can catch a version of Omicron after recovering from an older, non-Omicron variant. You can even get sick with one of the newer Omicron subvariants after getting over a different version of it.

Though the XXB.1.5 variant is still new, lab studies suggest that the bivalent vaccine is effective in protecting against severe disease, although not as effective in preventing infection.

But just because reinfections are less severe, it doesn’t mean that they are not terrible. You may still run a fever and experience body aches, brain fog and other symptoms. And there’s no way of knowing if your symptoms will linger and become long Covid.

Many of the tools and behaviors that help protect against infection can still help you avoid reinfection. Getting vaccinated and boosted is a good idea even after you’ve had Covid. You only need to wait a few weeks after an infection to get a shot. The vaccines will bolster your antibody levels, and research shows that they are effective in preventing severe outcomes if you get sick again.

What’s the best way to protect yourself and your family?

Get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  That includes getting the bivalent booster as soon as possible. The bivalent booster is approved for age 5 years and up. You are eligible for a COVID-19 bivalent booster shot if:

• You have completed a primary series of an approved COVID-19 vaccine
• It has been at least two months since you had any COVID vaccine
• You have recovered from an infection with COVID-19 and met criteria for discontinuing isolation

Additional measures, like masking indoors and in crowded spaces, avoid close contact with those who are ill, avoid contact with others if you are sick, social distancing and improving ventilation where possible,  washing your hands often with soap and water (if unavailable use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer) can provide another layer of protection.

The bivalent COVID-19 boosters and flu shots are now available at EHE Health clinics. Convenient appointments are available now. Call 888.672.8172 to schedule.

If you are showing symptoms, we can connect you to your healthcare provider or refer you to a primary care physician. Contact our Health Navigation Center at 844.258.1820

As people start to travel and gather for the holidays, it’s vitally important that we protect ourselves and others from COVID-19 and all respiratory viruses over the winter when we know people are gathering indoors, making the virus easier to spread. Most experts expect a rough winter. 

There are two new subvariants of the COVID-19 virus, known as BQ.1 and BQ1.1 (derived from the BA.5 Omicron variant). They are spreading quickly; cases attributed to the new variants currently account for about 50 % of COVID cases here in the U.S.  

There is a rise in COVID-19 cases in November, after a downward trend in infections over the past few months. 

The good news is the bivalent COVID-19 booster shots available in the U.S. should provide protection against these variants because they are descendants from Omicron BA.2 or BA.5. This is another reason to get the bivalent booster dose as soon as eligible.  

To protect yourself and your family, get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza and practice hygiene measures. COVID-19 vaccines and/or boosters can be given at the same time as the flu vaccine. You are eligible for a COVID-19 bivalent booster shot if: 

• You have completed a primary series of an approved COVID-19 vaccine 
• It has been at least two months since you had any COVID vaccine or COVID infection 
• The bivalent booster is approved for age 5 years and up 

Experience has shown masking and the following hygiene measures work to protect against not only COVID-19, but other infections such as the flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the common cold: 

• People may choose to wear a mask at any time. 
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible. 
• Cover coughs and sneezes. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way. 

The bivalent COVID-19 boosters and flu shots are now available at EHE Health clinics. Convenient appointments are available now. Call 888.672.8172 to schedule. 

If you are showing symptoms, we can connect you to your healthcare provider or refer you to a primary care physician. Contact our Health Navigation Center at 844.258.1820 

Thanks to massive vaccination campaigns around the world, polio cases dropped by 99% since the late 1980s.

On Sept. 1, the CDC recommended updated COVID-19 boosters which add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the current vaccine composition, helping to restore protection that has waned since previous vaccinations.

As the Omicron variants continue to spread, EHE Health clinics (including Stamford, Houston, McLean, New York, and Morristown) have what you need and more–COVID tests, Influenza vaccine and other vaccines, and updated boosters–to be safe.

The BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants are currently causing most cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., and they are predicted to be circulating this fall and winter, so it’s important to get your booster if you’re eligible.

Who is eligible?

• People cannot get a bivalent booster without first completing at least a primary series.(A primary seriesis the initial dose(s) of a COVID-19 vaccine. For Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines, the primary series is two vaccine doses).
• After this, an updated booster can be received two (2) months after their last vaccination, whether it was a primary or booster dose and three (3) months after symptom onset or positive test for COVID infection.
• The only booster that is currently authorized for people 12 years of age and older is the bivalent booster.
• People can no longer receive the monovalent vaccine that only targeted the original SARS-CoV-2 strain as a booster dose.

For additional details and a breakdown of vaccination recommendations, visit the CDC website.

EHE Health locations adhere to the highest safety standards. Our tested and vaccine-boosted staff are here to help you stay protected against COVID-19 now and healthier for years to come.

Convenient appointments are available now. Call 888.672.8172 to schedule

The Omicron variant, first identified in South Africa, is the predominant strain of COVID-19 in the United States. Viruses constantly change through mutation and these mutations result in a new variants of the virus. New variants will continue to emerge, and most recently, we are seeing the emergence of the BA.5 Omicron subvariant. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Omicron and its variants, including BA.5, spread more easily than other variants. The BA.5 variant is very contagious and is contributing to increases in hospitalizations and ICU admissions.
• The BA.5 variant does not currently appear to cause more severe cases of COVID-19. There is no current evidence that it leads to a higher death rate.
• Symptoms resemble cold symptoms (sore throat, runny nose and fatigue); loss of taste or smell is less common.
• Being up to date on recommended vaccines is effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death with the new variants. Individuals who have been immunized or have been infected before and/or immunized will likely have less severe symptoms if they get reinfected.
• Variant emergences further emphasize the importance of vaccinations and boosters. Vaccinations can help stop new variants from developing
• To minimize the risk of infection, wear a mask and continue to practice social distance, particularly in crowded indoor environments.

We will provide new information about Omicron BA.5 subvariant as it becomes available. For additional details, please see the latest CDC update.

As the Omicron variants spread, EHE Health clinics have what you need—COVID-19 tests, vaccines, and boosters—to be safe. Members can receive COVID-19 testing regardless of their last appointment date.

EHE Health locations adhere to the highest safety standards. Our tested and vaccine-boosted staff are here to help you stay protected against COVID-19 now and healthier for years to come.

Convenient appointments are available now. Call 888.672.8172 to schedule