Although booster shots aren't as effective in fighting against the new COVID-19 strain, we asked experts if it's worth getting the booster right now.
HOUSTON, Texas -- The Weekly Texas Medical Center's COVID-19 numbers are back including a new variant, which is why experts are answering questions as cases surge.Texas Medical Center leaders updated the media on the newest COVID variant on Tuesday. In our area, the dominant strains are BA.4 and BA.5, which make up more than 80% of the new cases.
Klotman said it's still important to get vaccinated, and boosted because it provides antibodies that allow your body to start to fight off the virus more quickly.Boosters are currently available to anyone six years of age and older. A second booster is available to anyone over 50 years old or immunocompromised.
Moderna and Pfizer are currently working on a new dose that's omicron-specific, but it may not be released until November Another place masks may need to be worn is in schools. Experts believe transmission rates may still be high when kids return to school in August. TMC numbers show daily hospitalizations have climbed from 50 cases in May to nearly 225 cases right now. However, the amount of people needing medical attention is way lower than before.