OTHER VACCINES:
INFLUENZA vaccines for 2022-2023 are now available for administration.
Flucelvax available for ages 6 months and up
Fluad (HIGH DOSE) FLU vaccine available for ages 65 and up (covered by Medicare).
“Vaccines reduce the risk of COVID-19, including the risk of severe illness and death among people who are fully vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccines are effective, but studies have shown vaccine protection can decline over time—especially with the Omicron variant. As a result, booster shots have been recommended to enhance or restore protection against COVID-19.
All FDA-approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines provide substantial protection against COVID-19 hospitalization and death.
CDC will continue to provide updates as we learn more (Center of Disease control and Prevention).”
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ANTIGEN TESTING:
PCR TESTING:
OUR RAPID PCR TESTS are done IN-HOUSE and have an out-of-pocket expedited service fee. It is Highly specific and sensitive, comparable to LAB PCR testing. The GeneXpert Instrument Systems we use automate and integrate sample preparation, nucleic acid extraction and amplification, and detection of the target sequences in simple or complex samples using real-time PCR assays.
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AS PER CDC GUIDELINES: “If you have COVID-19, you can spread the virus to others. There are precautions you can take to prevent spreading it to others: isolation, masking, and avoiding contact with people who are at high risk of getting very sick. Isolation is used to separate people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 from those without COVID-19.
If you test positive and are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, treatments are available that can reduce your chances of being hospitalized or dying from the disease. Medications to treat COVID-19 must be prescribed by a healthcare provider and started as soon as possible after diagnosis to be effective. Contact a healthcare provider right away to determine if you are eligible for treatment, even if your symptoms are mild right now.
Don’t delay: Treatment must be started within days of when you first develop symptoms to be effective.
People who are more likely to get very sick include older adults (ages 50 years or more, with risk increasing with age), people who are unvaccinated, and people with certain medical conditions, such as chronic lung disease, heart disease, or a weakened immune system. Being vaccinated makes you much less likely to get very sick. Still, some vaccinated people, especially those ages 65 years or older or who have other risk factors for severe disease, may benefit from treatment if they get COVID-19. A healthcare provider will help decide which treatment, if any, is right for you. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are taking other medications to make sure the COVID-19 treatments can be safely taken at the same time.
The FDA has authorized certain antiviral medications and monoclonal antibodies to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who are more likely to get very sick.
Antiviral treatments target specific parts of the virus to stop it from multiplying in the body, helping to prevent severe illness and death.
Monoclonal antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond more effectively to the virus.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines for healthcare providers to help them work with their patients and determine the best treatment options for them. Several options are available for treating COVID-19 at home or in an outpatient setting. They include:
| Treatment | Who | When | How |
|
Nirmatrelvir with Ritonavi (Paxlovid) Antiviral |
Adults; children ages 12 years and older | Start as soon as possible; must begin within 5 days of when symptoms start | Taken at home by mouth (orally) |
|
Antiviral |
Adults and children | Start as soon as possible; must begin within 7 days of when symptoms start | Intravenous (IV) infusions at a healthcare facility for 3 consecutive days |
|
Monoclonal antibody |
Adults; children ages 12 years and older | Start as soon as possible; must begin within 7 days of when symptoms start | Single IV injection |
|
Antiviral |
Adults | Start as soon as possible; must begin within 5 days of when symptoms start | Taken at home by mouth (orally) |
Some treatments might have side effects or interact with other medications you are taking. Ask a healthcare provider if medications to treat COVID-19 are right for you. If you don’t have a healthcare provider, visit a Test to Treat location or contact your local community health center or health department.
If you are hospitalized, your healthcare provider might use other types of treatments, depending on how sick you are. These could include medications to treat the virus, reduce an overactive immune response, or treat COVID-19 complications.
Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home. You can treat symptoms with over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), to help you feel better.