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https://theconversation.com/your-risk-of-catching-covid-is-at-its-lowest-since-2020-but-heres-why-you-should-still-get-boosted-for-christmas-270271>
"As the Christmas season looms, with its crowded end-of-year parties, family
gatherings and busy travel schedules, many New Zealanders might be asking a now
familiar question: should I get another COVID-19 booster?
After nearly four years of continuous Omicron circulation, each coming with a
distinct summer wave, it is understandable to be weighing this up.
Many of us now have reasonable immunity to COVID, both from previous vaccines
and from repeated contact with the virus. This may not stop us getting sick
with a another COVID infection, but it makes it less likely that it would cause
severe illness.
However, some groups particularly older people and those with significant
medical conditions – continue to be at higher risk. For these people, getting a
top-up before Christmas – and ahead of any summer travel – is indeed a wise
idea.
This holds true even when the risk of catching the coronavirus this holiday
season is far lower than in the past.
While COVID-19 waves have become more consistent – we have now observed eight,
occurring roughly twice a year – they have also grown markedly smaller since
Omicron began spreading widely in early 2022.
Hospitalisation data from Te Whatu Ora shows this decline clearly. The enormous
peaks of early 2022 are gone and now, in late-2025, the baseline of hospital
admissions had sunk to its lowest point in four years.
In the past week, we have seen roughly 30 hospitalisations nationwide,
comparable now to influenza at this time of year.
Wastewater surveillance tells the same story. Traces of the virus are still
being detected at all monitored sites, but at low levels and with only small
ripples, rather than the sharp peaks of New Zealand’s first year with Omicron.
Reassuringly, genome sequencing results also show no new virus subvariant is
rapidly emerging."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
