Dr. Michael Walters. Image courtesy: Aspirus Health.
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A doctor with Aspirus Health is hoping residents don’t let news of breakthrough COVID-19 cases keep them from getting vaccinated or a booster shot.
Senior System Physician Executive of Specialty Care Michael Walters says no vaccine is perfect. “It’s just really part of how our bodies work and how the vaccines work,” said Dr. Walters. “The intent of the vaccinations is not to prevent you from getting the disease, it’s to prevent serious infection, hospitalization and death.”
Walters adds no matter what vaccine you’re getting, it will wear off over time. “Your immunity will wane as you get further away from your initial vaccination series and so it really stresses that need for a booster shot,” Dr. Walters said. “[A booster shot] is a jump-start or a revving of the engine to get your immunity back to where it should be.”
As it stands most adults and children over the age of 12 are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and select groups are eligible for a booster if enough time has passed following their full immunization date. Those with questions about the vaccine or what they are eligible for are encouraged to talk to their primary care provider or visit vaccines.gov for more information.
Earlier this week it was announced that former Secretary of State Colin Powell died from complications due to COVID-19. He was also battling other conditions such as multiple myeloma and early-stage Parkinson’s disease. It’s been reported that Powell was due to receive a COVID-19 booster shot, but put that off as he began treatment for the multiple myeloma.
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