Remember COVID? A mutated version of the virus that not long ago dominated our lives is still killing more than 500 Americans per day on average — adding to a 1.1 million grim national total. Here in New York City, 13 people are dying on average each day, nothing to sneeze at for those who care about preventing suffering.
The bivalent vaccine booster is still the best way to head off severe disease and death. It doesn’t stop the pathogen’s spread, but it does make it far less likely that someone infected will have to be hospitalized or worse. Older New Yorkers, who are at the greatest risk by far, ought to be most focused on getting the shot.
But people of all ages benefit from the additional layer of protection. Even kids.
