NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Karen Hammersmith with the Reno County Health Department notes that there are several different vaccinations people can receive.
"When we grew up, we had the flu vaccine that was a yearly vaccine, you'd get it in the fall," Hammersmith said. "For the last few years, we've dealt with the pandemic. They've come out with a new strand of the COVID-19 vaccine. I think people are getting that in. I know I talked to a pharmacy yesterday. They thought they'd have it in at the end of next week. We have ours in. We're kind of waiting for billing and coding."
There is another new vaccine, this one is for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV.
"That's something that they had been working on for years and years," Hammersmith said. "A lot of the time, you're just looking at money and research when you're trying to create a new vaccine. RSV causes pneumonia. That's available for those that are 60 years and older, also, for newborns. We don't have that in yet for the newborns, but it's something that they will be giving and pediatricians are so excited to give it to those kiddos."
The newborn RSV vaccine, Nirsevimab is expected to be available this fall. Expectant parents and parents of infants under the age of 8 months, as well as those with older babies, should talk with their healthcare providers about the vaccination.
This year's flu shot is another quadrivalent shot for four different strains of flu.
"We have our regular Fluzone, that's for six months on up," Hammersmith said. "Then there is a high dose. That's what they really want to give to those that are 65 and older. That has proven to be most effective for that age group."
Check with your doctor to see which immunizations they recommend and whether they have them in stock.
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.