KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Health officials are encouraging the public to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall, warning that last year’s shot may not offer adequate protection against the current strains of the virus.

This recommendation comes as COVID-19 cases spiked over the summer, and another increase is anticipated in the upcoming winter months, according to an article from Dartmouth Health.

Michael S. Calderwood, MD, MPH, Chief Quality Officer at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, explained the seasonal trend doctors have observed. “We see a peak during the summer months that settles down through the fall, followed by a second peak going into the winter,” Calderwood said in the artible.

While the number of hospitalizations this summer was slightly higher than last year, it remains significantly lower than the peaks seen earlier in the pandemic. Death rates have also remained stable, a fact Calderwood attributes to widespread vaccination.

“The vaccine from last fall doesn’t provide much protection against the current virus variants,” Calderwood noted. “We also know the immunity from previous vaccines fades over time.” This is why health experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are recommending updated vaccinations for everyone aged six months and older.

The latest vaccine offers two to four times more protection against the circulating viruses compared to last year’s shot, Calderwood said. He likened the need for an annual COVID-19 vaccine to the yearly flu shot, pointing out that COVID-19 is evolving into a seasonal illness.

People with weakened immune systems, chronic conditions like diabetes and lung disease, and those aged 65 and older are among the groups that benefit the most from being vaccinated. Pregnant individuals are also strongly encouraged to get vaccinated, as it offers essential protection for both the mother and the baby.

If someone has recently recovered from COVID-19, they can wait up to three months before getting the vaccine, as natural immunity from the infection offers temporary protection. However, individuals are eligible for the shot at any time after recovery.

COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available at local pharmacies and Dartmouth Health locations. Most pharmacies also offer the COVID-19 vaccine, and you can visit vaccines.gov to find a nearby vaccination site and schedule yours.