In conjunction with Dr. Wes Wallace from University UMC, the Conference Health Team has some important information as December gets underway.
Protect Yourself from Respiratory Infections
According to information released by the NC Department of Health and Human Services on November 29, emergency department visits for respiratory viruses have seen an uptick as the weather turns colder. Last week 11.1% of emergency room visits had symptoms of a respiratory virus, an increase from 10.3% the week before. These include an uptick in COVID, flu, and RSV cases.
Among reporting hospitals, 447 hospital admissions were for COVID-19, and 142 were for flu, an increase for COVID-19 and flu from the week before (which were 417 COVID-19 and 88 flu cases the week before). You can get the latest statistics about the number of hospital cases in North Carolina involving respiratory viruses here: NCDHHS COVID Dashboard.
Seniors and those who are immunosuppressed should test themselves for COVID every 48 hours if they are symptomatic and get Paxlovid very quickly if they are positive in order to avoid severe illness.
Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccine
- CDC recommends the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax, to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.
- Everyone aged 5 years and older should get 1 dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.
- Children aged 6 months–4 years need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be up to date, including at least 1 dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine.
- People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
- Learn more here: COVID-19 – Stay Up-To-Date
- Find the COVID vaccine near you
Make sure you get your flu shot
Most private insurance fully covers the cost of flu shots. Free shots are also available to non-Medicaid, uninsured women who are pregnant during flu season, and receiving services at the health department.
RSV vaccine
In May of this year the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine approved for use in the United States for individuals 60 years of age and older. There are two RSV vaccines licensed for use in adults aged 60 years and older in the United States: RSVPreF3 (Arexvy, GSK) and RSVpreF (Abrysvo, Pfizer). Seniors can get the RSV vaccine through their doctor’s office, CVS, or Walgreens with insurance.
COVID tests
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order an additional 4 free at-home tests beginning November 20. If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests. Your order of COVID tests is completely free – you won’t even pay for shipping. Order them here.
Medicaid Expansion Begins December 1
- North Carolina is expanding who can get Medicaid starting December 1, 2023.
- Adults ages 19 through 64 earning up to 138% of the federal poverty line (e.g., singles earning about $20,000/year or families of three earning about $34,000/year) may be eligible.
- The best way to apply is online through ePASS; you can also apply in person, by phone, or mailed applications. The processing time for applications can be up to 45 days. Applications submitted online may be processed faster.
- The coverage will be comprehensive, including services like primary care, hospital stays, maternity care, vision and hearing, dental/oral health care, and more.
- Medicaid pays for doctor visits, yearly check-ups, emergency care, mental health, and more – at little or no cost to you.
- Current beneficiaries with full Medicaid coverage will not see any changes.
- Learn more here: Q&A about Medicaid Expansion