Over the past summer, there has been an increase in infections from COVID-19.
The increase is consistent with a trend that Michael S. Calderwood, MD, MPH, chief quality officer at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, has seen.
Calderwood recommends that most people get vaccinated to protect themselves from the virus. Here’s why.
What is the current state of the virus?
An increase in infections this summer reflects what's occurred over the last few years—an initial peak during the summer months that settles through the fall and peaks again in winter.
But while slightly more hospitalizations occurred nationally this summer compared to last, there were far fewer hospitalizations than two summers ago at the start of the pandemic. There also hasn’t been a significant rise in deaths from COVID-19. A lot of that is attributed to the vaccines.
But why do I need a vaccine?
Every year, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) examine how the situation has changed. In the fall of 2023, the CDC recommended that everyone six months of age and older get a COVID-19 vaccine. While that targeted the virus circulating at that time, the virus circulating this year is different from what was circulating a year ago.
This fall, much like the recommendation for a flu vaccine, an annual COVID-19 vaccine is still advised. Supporting this recommendation is data from last year's respiratory virus season that shows that those who got last year’s vaccine had:
- Significantly more protection against symptomatic disease from the virus
- Fewer visits to the emergency department and urgent care
- A significant reduction in hospitalizations, including among those with an impaired immune system who benefited most significantly when those living with them had also been vaccinated.
But I still don’t understand why last fall’s vaccination is not adequate.
The vaccine that people got last fall doesn't provide a lot of protection against what is circulating right now. In addition, the protection from the COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time, similar to the annual flu vaccine. That is why it is recommended to get an updated vaccine annually.
This year's COVID-19 vaccine provides two to four times more protection against the viruses that are currently in our community compared to last year's vaccine.
Does the fact that I had a vaccination last year change what I should get now?
If you've previously been vaccinated, you need only a single dose of the new COVID-19 vaccine. You can do it at the same time you get your flu vaccine. People who are older, typically 65 years of age and older—and those with an impaired immune system or some chronic diseases like diabetes, lung disease, and kidney disease—tend to see the most significant benefit. These people also get protection from the rest of us in the community who get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccination also gives significant protection to those who are pregnant.
What if I recently had COVID-19?
If you have recently had COVID-19, you can typically wait up to three months after the illness to get the vaccine. That will give you longer protection because you have immune protection after you recover from the virus. However, you don't need to wait three months; you are eligible at any time.
Where can I get the vaccine?
COVID-19 vaccines are available now in many local pharmacies. Go to vaccines.gov to find a location near you. The COVID-19 vaccine is also available at various Dartmouth Health locations. Go to our COVID-19 web page for further details.
How do I stay up to date?
Visit our web page on where to go for vaccines, available treatments, and symptoms to look out for. Keep in mind that COVID-19 is becoming an annual illness, much like other respiratory viruses.
More resources
Learn about the differences between COVID-19, the flu and RSV