Disney and Florida should NOT be rewarded with continued tourism and should absolutely feel the effects of disastrous and dangerous public policy decisions, whether or not they are actually in effect. The fact that they are even being considered, and broadcasted by their highest officials is reason enough to stay away. On this one, I vigorously disagree. And people will still listen, not vaccinate and cross state lines. We will all pay the price.
I live in Washington state just across the Columbia from Oregon where I frequently shop and have some medical care. I checked with Walgreens online to schedule flu and Covid vaccines during today’s trip to Oregon. I was locked out of a Covid vaccine-site said my state ( by which I think Oregon was meant) required a prescription. I am 78 so age is not the issue. Fortunately my wonderful local small town pharmacy system, Washington, has all the vaccines. However, they only vaccinate 1 day a week at their two pharmacies.i am scheduled for Thursday.
Same situation here. I'm over 65 and my last booster was April 17, 2025. I'd like to wait until October at home in Texas, but I'm visiting friends and family in Washington state, so I'm getting it today.
Thanks for including the food safety section in this week's newsletter - given the very recent listeria outbreaks, it's concerning to me to see that this monitoring is decreasing significantly. Would love more information about steps we can take to protect ourselves - for example, I have heard that for a lot of vegetables eating raw is the concern for contamination and cooking them will provide broad protection? This continual paring back of our protective mechanisms on the food front has me wondering if we need to start adjusting our meal preparation habits. Thanks for all you do!
Really good question, Marlene. It is concerning to see cuts towards active surveillance at the national level, and it does put more responsibility on individuals when it comes to food safety practices. While signs of pathogens and contaminants cannot always be “seen,” there are best practices that considerably reduce the risk of foodborne illness such as washing hands and surfaces, rinsing raw produce, separating raw meats from ready to eat foods, cooking to the right internal temperature, and properly chilling foods.
Regarding listeria, there are certain frequent flier foods to be more cautious around (deli meats, unpasteurized cheese, smoked fish). And while we shouldn’t necessarily live our life in fear there are certain groups (young kids, pregnant women, older adults and immune-compromised folks) who may want to be more choosy about the quality, preparation and storage of these particular foods.
We live in Northern Virginia and as of now prescription is required for Covid vaccines. But since the center for disease proliferation hasn’t had their stupid meeting yet, doctors can’t give prescriptions. So yesterday my husband and I drove to Rockville MD and got our covid shots, and our insurance approved. It had been 7 months since our last shots. Screw the CDC. 💪
Ugh! I grew up in Rockville, worked at HHS when the headquarters was a 1/2 mile from my house and still live in Maryland. I just got mine today. I am under 65 and had to fill out a form saying I have a pre-existing condition that puts me at high risk. How about living on the planet and being exposed to the virus?? My son, who just started a new job and whose roommate is sick with Covid, can't get vaccinated. He can't afford to miss work at this point. I am furious that the Governor hasn't made the vaccine available to everyone who wants it, like Massachusetts. And we're supposed to be the smart ones. I am with you - screw the CDC and every idiot involved with this moronic cabal.
My mother died of Covid in 2023. She wasted away she became septic and her lungs, damaged from asthma, could not recover. Her death was awful. Covid is no effin joke like republicans think it is. 🤬
I am so sorry about your mother. I, too, am asthmatic, and the idea of being unable to breathe is my worst nightmare, left over from childhood experiences in addition to the asthma. I paid attention to what the news programs said about how patients were dying back during the pandemic. Doctors like Vin Gupta who know what they are talking about (he's a pulmonologist). It's frightening that the republicans are apparently fine with killing off a lot of people. IMO that's what their conspiracy theories and anti-vax stances are all about. It is way beyond me to understand why people dismiss science. All the information I've gotten over my lifetime has shown the honesty of real science.
I know it’s scary. Just do your best to get the vaccine and mask in a populated place. I still mask in some places and I dare anyone to give me sh** about it. I now carry pepper spray, which is legal in VA, everywhere I go in public.
I'm glad to live in CA right now. No one has ever given me a hard time for wearing a mask, with oxygen tank and walker visually reinforcing my need. However, during the pandemic measures I actually got commissurative smiles rather than pitying glances. Ah, well.
I was glad to see that COVID-19 and flu are business as usual here in TX. I will get my next vaccines in mid-November. The only place I usually don't mask is at my small grocery store during the summer. I'll have to look up pepper spray legality in TX, though I don't know I'd have much use for it, except for an attack terrier that lives on the back side of my block.
I live in North Carolina and expected negative reactions when I wear a mask (in stores, medical facilities), but no one has ever shown the slightest negativity. I've learned to smile with my eyes.
Chaos and confusion is what one gets when a heroin addict is appointed to regulate the health of 340 MILLION PEOPLE. For all of you who voted for the Trumpster Fire… did you expect anything different to happen after Jan. 20?
I live in Oregon and manage Find a Covid Shot Oregon on Facebook. We need a prescription in Oregon to get Covid vaccine -- all ages. Washington state does not. Oregon's governor is considering changing. Thanks for your excellent work on our behalf! https://www.facebook.com/groups/oregonvaccinehunters
I’m not sure your map tells the whole story. I am 61 and live in Illinois. I went to get the new Covid vaccine first at CVS. Found out they do not take UHC insurance. Then I went to Osco. UHC denied payment and I was told you need to get it from your doctor. Our doctors do not have the vaccine but there is one place affiliated with our medical group that gives them. I called them and they did not have any appointments until Oct 1. Very weird. Lastly I went to Walgreens. Again UHC denied to pay but this time I was told insurance is requiring proof from doctor of an underlying condition. I was leaving the country in 7 days and did not have time to wait for this process to play out so I paid for the shot out of pocket and am hoping to file a claim later. So again, your map does not show what us under 65ers are really running into.
From the letter: "Off-label access (i.e., if you’re under 65 and not high risk; not shown on the map) is still going to be highly restricted in almost all states, for now. Massachusetts is one exception."
Thank you for all the excellent information you provide!
WA resident over 65 here. I had no problem making an appointment for next week for a Moderna booster at Costco. I didn't realize until reading this that Moderna has two versions of the new vaccine. Costco's Moderna vaccine is Spikevax, not MNexspike. So I canceled Costco and made an appointment at Fred Meyer, where their Moderna vax is MNexspike. Suggestion: If there is a big difference between the two Moderna vaccines for seniors, perhaps you should mention that in one of your posts.
Change Oregon to purple on your map. Sitting in Walgreens in PDX for flu and COVID. Website let me make an appointment but learned at the window that yes, I do need a prescription. 😤
I’m in Phoenix, AZ. My daughter has multiple chronic health conditions and is medically fragile. Her doctor wrote a script for the Covid vaccine, Walgreens is saying they won’t honor it. Only people 65 and over can get the shot. What a nightmare this year.
Walgreens has been fine in the past with their pharmacists refusing to fill valid prescriptions for “religious reasons”, i.e. they don’t like or agree with you, so this doesn’t surprise me.
You can, but you probably need to make sure Insurance will still cover it? And if you have an HMO, usually you can’t leave your state for any medical care other than emergency.
In the past Moderna was shown to be more effective for seniors. Am age 79. Will you please let us know which Fall 2025 vaccine is recommended for seniors. I have had both Pfizer and Moderna in the past. Thank you.
Disney and Florida should NOT be rewarded with continued tourism and should absolutely feel the effects of disastrous and dangerous public policy decisions, whether or not they are actually in effect. The fact that they are even being considered, and broadcasted by their highest officials is reason enough to stay away. On this one, I vigorously disagree. And people will still listen, not vaccinate and cross state lines. We will all pay the price.
Look at California
I live in Washington state just across the Columbia from Oregon where I frequently shop and have some medical care. I checked with Walgreens online to schedule flu and Covid vaccines during today’s trip to Oregon. I was locked out of a Covid vaccine-site said my state ( by which I think Oregon was meant) required a prescription. I am 78 so age is not the issue. Fortunately my wonderful local small town pharmacy system, Washington, has all the vaccines. However, they only vaccinate 1 day a week at their two pharmacies.i am scheduled for Thursday.
I would have preferred to wait until mid October for my next Covid-19 booster, but I don’t trust what the ACIP might do so I got it last week.
My wife and I also decided to get the vaccine early.
Same situation here. I'm over 65 and my last booster was April 17, 2025. I'd like to wait until October at home in Texas, but I'm visiting friends and family in Washington state, so I'm getting it today.
Thanks for including the food safety section in this week's newsletter - given the very recent listeria outbreaks, it's concerning to me to see that this monitoring is decreasing significantly. Would love more information about steps we can take to protect ourselves - for example, I have heard that for a lot of vegetables eating raw is the concern for contamination and cooking them will provide broad protection? This continual paring back of our protective mechanisms on the food front has me wondering if we need to start adjusting our meal preparation habits. Thanks for all you do!
Really good question, Marlene. It is concerning to see cuts towards active surveillance at the national level, and it does put more responsibility on individuals when it comes to food safety practices. While signs of pathogens and contaminants cannot always be “seen,” there are best practices that considerably reduce the risk of foodborne illness such as washing hands and surfaces, rinsing raw produce, separating raw meats from ready to eat foods, cooking to the right internal temperature, and properly chilling foods.
Regarding listeria, there are certain frequent flier foods to be more cautious around (deli meats, unpasteurized cheese, smoked fish). And while we shouldn’t necessarily live our life in fear there are certain groups (young kids, pregnant women, older adults and immune-compromised folks) who may want to be more choosy about the quality, preparation and storage of these particular foods.
Sharing a few resources below if helpful!
1. Education on food safety practices - https://www.foodsafety.gov/
2. Monitoring current recalls - https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls
3. Subscription for email updates from FSIS (there’s a recall category) - https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/news-feeds-subscriptions
Thanks for sharing these resources! :)
Great question Marlene!
We live in Northern Virginia and as of now prescription is required for Covid vaccines. But since the center for disease proliferation hasn’t had their stupid meeting yet, doctors can’t give prescriptions. So yesterday my husband and I drove to Rockville MD and got our covid shots, and our insurance approved. It had been 7 months since our last shots. Screw the CDC. 💪
Ugh! I grew up in Rockville, worked at HHS when the headquarters was a 1/2 mile from my house and still live in Maryland. I just got mine today. I am under 65 and had to fill out a form saying I have a pre-existing condition that puts me at high risk. How about living on the planet and being exposed to the virus?? My son, who just started a new job and whose roommate is sick with Covid, can't get vaccinated. He can't afford to miss work at this point. I am furious that the Governor hasn't made the vaccine available to everyone who wants it, like Massachusetts. And we're supposed to be the smart ones. I am with you - screw the CDC and every idiot involved with this moronic cabal.
My mother died of Covid in 2023. She wasted away she became septic and her lungs, damaged from asthma, could not recover. Her death was awful. Covid is no effin joke like republicans think it is. 🤬
I am so sorry about your mother. I, too, am asthmatic, and the idea of being unable to breathe is my worst nightmare, left over from childhood experiences in addition to the asthma. I paid attention to what the news programs said about how patients were dying back during the pandemic. Doctors like Vin Gupta who know what they are talking about (he's a pulmonologist). It's frightening that the republicans are apparently fine with killing off a lot of people. IMO that's what their conspiracy theories and anti-vax stances are all about. It is way beyond me to understand why people dismiss science. All the information I've gotten over my lifetime has shown the honesty of real science.
I know it’s scary. Just do your best to get the vaccine and mask in a populated place. I still mask in some places and I dare anyone to give me sh** about it. I now carry pepper spray, which is legal in VA, everywhere I go in public.
I'm glad to live in CA right now. No one has ever given me a hard time for wearing a mask, with oxygen tank and walker visually reinforcing my need. However, during the pandemic measures I actually got commissurative smiles rather than pitying glances. Ah, well.
I was glad to see that COVID-19 and flu are business as usual here in TX. I will get my next vaccines in mid-November. The only place I usually don't mask is at my small grocery store during the summer. I'll have to look up pepper spray legality in TX, though I don't know I'd have much use for it, except for an attack terrier that lives on the back side of my block.
I live in North Carolina and expected negative reactions when I wear a mask (in stores, medical facilities), but no one has ever shown the slightest negativity. I've learned to smile with my eyes.
Chaos and confusion is what one gets when a heroin addict is appointed to regulate the health of 340 MILLION PEOPLE. For all of you who voted for the Trumpster Fire… did you expect anything different to happen after Jan. 20?
Trumpster fire… 😂 😂 😂
I live in Oregon and manage Find a Covid Shot Oregon on Facebook. We need a prescription in Oregon to get Covid vaccine -- all ages. Washington state does not. Oregon's governor is considering changing. Thanks for your excellent work on our behalf! https://www.facebook.com/groups/oregonvaccinehunters
Hmm okay let me reach out to OR leadership for clarity. Thanks for flagging!
Yes, what I cited in my post.
I’m not sure your map tells the whole story. I am 61 and live in Illinois. I went to get the new Covid vaccine first at CVS. Found out they do not take UHC insurance. Then I went to Osco. UHC denied payment and I was told you need to get it from your doctor. Our doctors do not have the vaccine but there is one place affiliated with our medical group that gives them. I called them and they did not have any appointments until Oct 1. Very weird. Lastly I went to Walgreens. Again UHC denied to pay but this time I was told insurance is requiring proof from doctor of an underlying condition. I was leaving the country in 7 days and did not have time to wait for this process to play out so I paid for the shot out of pocket and am hoping to file a claim later. So again, your map does not show what us under 65ers are really running into.
From the letter: "Off-label access (i.e., if you’re under 65 and not high risk; not shown on the map) is still going to be highly restricted in almost all states, for now. Massachusetts is one exception."
I should have been more clear. I fall into high risk.
Oh, that does make a difference. Sounds like typical bureaucratic miscommunication!
Ditto. Walgreens and CVS are still requiring Rx in Oregon for Covid-19 at the current time.
It has been announced that The covid vax is already available to everyone 6 mos+ in WA state. Also a WA-OR-CA-HI health Alliance was formed to follow the science in vaccine recommendations, I presume this will lead to the covid vaccine available to everyone in these states; they just have different laws to work with in making it happen. https://www.kuow.org/stories/confused-about-your-eligibility-for-the-covid-shot-in-washington-state-you-re-covered
Do you have an opinion on MNexspike vs Spikevax? For 67 immunosuppressed woman getting vaccinated this week or next.
MNexspike seems to be in older adults for sure
Katelyn, this isn't clear. Is MNexspike Moderna or Pfizer, and are you saying that's better for over-65?
Thank you for all the excellent information you provide!
WA resident over 65 here. I had no problem making an appointment for next week for a Moderna booster at Costco. I didn't realize until reading this that Moderna has two versions of the new vaccine. Costco's Moderna vaccine is Spikevax, not MNexspike. So I canceled Costco and made an appointment at Fred Meyer, where their Moderna vax is MNexspike. Suggestion: If there is a big difference between the two Moderna vaccines for seniors, perhaps you should mention that in one of your posts.
Change Oregon to purple on your map. Sitting in Walgreens in PDX for flu and COVID. Website let me make an appointment but learned at the window that yes, I do need a prescription. 😤
I’m in Phoenix, AZ. My daughter has multiple chronic health conditions and is medically fragile. Her doctor wrote a script for the Covid vaccine, Walgreens is saying they won’t honor it. Only people 65 and over can get the shot. What a nightmare this year.
Walgreens has been fine in the past with their pharmacists refusing to fill valid prescriptions for “religious reasons”, i.e. they don’t like or agree with you, so this doesn’t surprise me.
Wondering if it is possible for folks to travel to Massachusetts (or other states) to obtain a Covid vax if their state does not allow it for them?
You can, but you probably need to make sure Insurance will still cover it? And if you have an HMO, usually you can’t leave your state for any medical care other than emergency.
In the past Moderna was shown to be more effective for seniors. Am age 79. Will you please let us know which Fall 2025 vaccine is recommended for seniors. I have had both Pfizer and Moderna in the past. Thank you.
How about a report on Chagas Disease? Should we be on the look-out?
Emerg Infec Dis vol 31, No.9, Sept. 2025.
Love Your Local Epidemiologist,
David