-- From Washington.
>> A new round of covid-19
boosters will be available
within days as covid cases
continue to rise.
The food and drug administration
improved -- approved new drugs.
She joined me now.
Welcome.
Let's talk about where we are as
a nation.
Much of the country has reverted
to pre-covid behavior.
>> Will wish covid would be in
the rearview mirror but the
reality is, it is with us,
circulating, the good news is,
we have more tools to protect
ourselves.
We have to use those tools.
The CDC did recommend everyone
over the age of six months get
an updated vaccine.
>> Should people get the
booster?
>> It is important to know your
community decreases over time.
The protection does decrease
over time.
Again, something you want to
recommend for everyone those
over 65 are at highest risk.
Getting a covid shot and updated
is protecting you, particularly
you are over.
>> Age plays a role.
Does the data show the majority
are among unvaccinated?
>> We know that most folks have
gotten some sort of exposure to
the covid virus either through
having covid or a vaccination.
We know that protection
decreases over time and that's
why we want to make sure folks
are getting an updated vaccine
to boost their immunity to make
sure they have all of the
protection they can.
>> U.S. Government was buying
hundreds of millions of doses
because are free.
-- So the shots are free.
If you don't have insurance,
what is this going to cost you?
>> There is an opportunity for
everyone to get access for a
free covid vaccine.
We are outside of emergency
times.
It is like getting your flu
shot.
That's likely where you can go
and access but it will be free,
either covered by insurance or a
program that allows you to get
access to a free vaccine.
Our local health departments or
community health centers.
>> No one should have to pay.
>> We don't want that cost to be
a barrier.
It's important to have a plan.
>> We have been hearing about
tripled them in, how likely are
we likely to see the surge?
>> We see lots of viruses so we
know that flu is increasing, but
the good news is we have more
tools than ever to have vaccines
against all three of the viruses
that spread.
Not only do we want folks to get
updated, for older adults, we
have a vaccine and for the
little kids, it can affect the
youngest among us to make sure
they have an immunization.
>> Speaking of little kids, we
have seen reports of a few
schools beginning to require
masking when they see an uptick
in covid.
Do you recommend schools and
workplaces take the step?
>> There are many ways.
Today, we want folks to get
vaccinated.
There are other tools we can use
area testing and treatment, as
you mentioned, washing your
hands, wearing a mask, staying
home, improving ventilation that
we can use to protect ourselves.
We are in a better place we just
need to do that.
>> Thank you, good to talk to
you.