Viruses change over time, a process sometimes called “mutation.” As COVID-19 spreads from person to person, these mutations can cause the virus to become more aggressive or more transmittable. A significantly changed virus is identified as a virus “variant.” Variants make a virus difficult to contain, as immunity from one variant does not guarantee immunity from another.
The best defense is to squash the spread of the virus before it gets a chance to reproduce and mutate. Thorough basic hygiene, proper distancing, and masks all help reduce spread. Booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines also help.
December 27, 2021
Booster Dose for COVID-19Plain language Document
COVID-19 is Changing
- COVID-19 is a virus that can make people sick.
- Viruses can mutate or change over time.
- Changing viruses have different names.
More Infection Delta & Omicron Variants
- Two known changes to the COVID-19 virus are the Delta and Omicron variants.
- Delta and Omicronare more infectious. More people can get sick from these variants.
- Another dose of a vaccine helps protect against the changing virus.
- The common flu also changes. A flu vaccine help our body fight against the changing virus.
Fight the Virus
- Each person’s body fights viruses or germs differently.
- An additional dose of vaccine six months after you were vaccinated is recommended by the Centers of Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) for everyone over 16 years old to help your body fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its mutations or changes.
- Ask your doctor if you have any questions about getting a booster.
