{"id":216928,"date":"2025-09-11T01:15:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T01:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/216928\/"},"modified":"2025-09-11T01:15:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T01:15:12","slug":"covid-19-surging-in-san-antonio-as-new-vaccine-restrictions-kick-in-causing-confusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/216928\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 surging in San Antonio as new vaccine restrictions kick in, causing confusion"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN ANTONIO<\/strong> \u2013 There has been a surge in COVID-19 diagnoses in San Antonio and around South Texas.<\/p>\n

Doctors call it the \u201csummer surge\u201d and San Antonio seems to be just passing the peak. <\/p>\n

The new variant, Nimbus, is not causing a spike in hospitalizations, but doctors are still warning about the symptoms.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving symptoms like a really severe flu, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, feeling really fatigued, even after they\u2019ve gotten past the COVID. It takes a while to get back to normal,\u201d said Dr. Jason Bowling, an infectious disease specialist with University Health and UT Health San Antonio. <\/p>\n

Bowling said anyone can get long COVID-19, including healthy people who have mild cases of the virus.<\/p>\n

Long COVID is a condition where symptoms stick around, or even worsen, for months or years after a bout of COVID-19.<\/p>\n

That is why many people get COVID-19 vaccines every year.<\/p>\n

However, this year, the Food and Drug Administration announced new vaccine restrictions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In years past, anyone six months or older could get the COVID-19 vaccine.<\/p>\n

Now under the Trump administration, the vaccine is being reserved for people 65 or older, or those with a high-risk condition<\/a> identified by the Centers for Disease Control.<\/p>\n

The restrictions are raising questions among doctors, pharmacists and insurance companies as they determine how to prescribe or process the vaccines.<\/p>\n

Typically, vaccine recommendations have come from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which relays suggestions to the CDC before it makes official recommendations.<\/p>\n

Bowling said recent changes have delayed that timeline.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll 17 pre-existing members of the ACIP were removed from that board and replaced with nine new members,\u201d Bowling said. \u201cThe CDC has had a lot of layoffs as well, which explains some of the delays in that timeline.\u201d<\/p>\n

The advisory committee\u2019s recommendations typically come with specific guidance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey usually make recommendations, so it\u2019s easier for people to know: \u2018Can pharmacists administer it?\u2019 \u2018Do you need to see your doctor first?\u201d Bowling said. \u201cIt also helps insurance companies have a better understanding of who they\u2019re going to reimburse the vaccine for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without that full clarity from the government agencies, there\u2019s one universal piece of advice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think anyone who wants the COVID-19 vaccine should talk to their doctor about getting it,\u201d Bowling said. \u201cThey\u2019re going to know your medical history, and doctors can prescribe something off-label as well and can be your advocate and sort it out for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those looking to get the vaccine may also call their insurance company and ask how they are handling COVID-19 vaccine reimbursements, Bowling said.<\/p>\n

The committee is scheduled to meet next week, and Bowling hopes they will take up this topic and release more details or suggestions on how the vaccine rollout will work. <\/p>\n

As for the COVID-19 surge right now, Bowling said he gets a lot of questions about how long COVID-19 is contagious.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe advice on when to return to work or school has been simplified to make it more practical for people,\u201d Bowling said. \u201cIt\u2019s when you\u2019re no longer having a fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications like Tylenol or Ibuprofen, and you feel better, you can return to work or school.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s still recommended you take measures to reduce your risk of transmission to others for five days,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Reducing transmission can be accomplished through isolation or by wearing a mask. <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause people still do shed virus for about 5 days,\u201d Bowling said, \u201cmaybe a little bit longer after symptoms have started.\u201d <\/p>\n

While there is typically a summer surge like the one happening now, Bowling said the largest surge usually happens in the winter months around December and January.<\/p>\n

Read more on KSAT:<\/b><\/p>\n