AARP Arizona has been a tremendous partner throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Our collaborations to promote public health have included virtual town halls for AARP members on COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 boosters.
At 3:05 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, we’ll join AARP Arizona for a virtual town hall on the new Omicron booster doses that target the most prevalent COVID-19 subvariants. These boosters are important for everyone but are especially so for older individuals, whose immune systems tend to be weaker.
How important are they? COVID-19 deaths have dropped in recent months but still occur. Better than 80% of COVID-19 deaths of late have been among those ages 65 and older, and nearly all COVID-19 deaths have occurred among those ages 45 and older.
Whatever your age, I hope you’ll watch this town hall live or after the fact via AARP Arizona’s Facebook account at facebook.com/AARPArizona. You’ll hear from:
- Dana Marie Kennedy, state director for AARP Arizona;
- Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th U.S. Surgeon General and special adviser to Governor Doug Ducey on public health preparedness;
- Dr. Karen Lewis, medical director for the ADHS Arizona Immunization Program Office; and
- Yours truly (I am ADHS deputy director for public health services).
I strongly encourage everyone 12 and older to get the Omicron booster as soon as possible. You‘ll find convenient locations at azhealth.gov/FindVaccine. And please keep in mind that you can get vaccinated at the same time against seasonal influenza, which can be much more severe among older people.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and reduce the chances of severe illness, long COVID, hospitalization, and death. It’s important to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination because protection tends to wane over time.
Information is power when it comes to protecting yourself against COVID-19. With that in mind, please tune in for Thursday’s town hall or watch the recording at your convenience.
