Flu Shots are In!
Regular dose flu shots are an included benefit of your Baskin Clinic membership. Call us to schedule an appointment, or get one at your next visit. There is no need to space out your flu shots from COVID, RSV, or any other vaccines. Speaking of which:
New COVID-19 Vaccines
The CDC has approved a new, 2023-24 formulation of COVID vaccine for people over six (6) months of age. And yes, you should get it, regardless of the number of prior COVID shots you might already have under your belt. From a vaccine design perspective, COVID is now treated similarly to the flu: The virus is continuously evolving, so new formulas will provide updated protection against the latest strains each year.
Due to their high cost, we do not carry COVID vaccines in the clinic, but your insurance will cover 100% of the cost at any local pharmacy. We recommend making an appointment online with your preferred pharmacy now.
Many of our patients, staff, friends, and family have gotten COVID in recent weeks. If you’re in that group, you should wait three months from symptom onset or positive test before getting a dose of the new formulation. Why? You’ve already developed immunity through the recent infection, but that will wane over time. So in 3 months, you’ll need a refresh.
Full COVID vaccine guidance is available here.
Free COVID tests are available from the federal government here. Each household is eligible to receive up to 4 tests.
RSV Vaccines
The CDC has approved RSV vaccine for adults 60 and older, but the guidance is pretty tepid with a lot of qualifying language (as opposed to their flu vaccine advice, which is unequivocal). The CDC recommends that individuals make this decision in consultation with their doctors, taking into account their unique circumstances. Part of this is due purely to numbers; there are more than four times as many annual flu deaths (34,000) as RSV deaths (8,000).
The population most at risk are infants, so for them it’s a no-brainer. For adults, the key lies in your risk factors. Like the CDC, we recommend vaccination if you have any of the following:
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Lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and asthma)
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Chronic cardiovascular diseases (such as congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
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Diabetes mellitus
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Neurologic conditions like MS
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Kidney disorders
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Liver disorders
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Hematologic disorders like leukemia or lymphoma
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Compromised immunity (either due to immune suppressive medications or underlying illness)
Bottom line: if you’re over age 60 and want every possible protection, get it. But it’s low-yield unless you have underlying health problems.
We do not carry RSV vaccines in the clinic, but a trip to the pharmacy is also an opportunity to catch up on vaccines for other diseases and conditions. Age 50 or older? You should receive the new shingles vaccine (Shingrix). Age 65 or older? There are 2 pneumonia vaccines, the PCV20 and the PPSV23, both of which should be administered a year apart. Feel free to schedule a virtual vaccine checkup with your Baskin Clinic doctor to review your status before you go.
In closing, here’s a little peek behind the curtain at Baskin Clinic. While some members of our staff may not appreciate his brilliance, Dr Lester always likes to end our all-hands meetings with a dad joke. So here’s a few minutes of highlights from another kind of Doc Talk for your amusement. Enjoy!
Take care,
Baskin Clinic