The latest numbers from the state show the spread of COVID-19 has increased slightly in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region. The seven-day average infection rate is seven-point-three-five percent -- up from six-point-nine percent a week ago.
Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Emil Lesho of Rochester Regional Health says there's good reason to get the new COVID booster shot: it's targeted at the latest Omicron variant of the virus, and your earlier protection declines as time passes from your last shot. He says avoiding as many COVID cases as possible this fall will prevent overload of the health care system.
Dr. Lesho says both the flu and COVID vaccine are recommended. He says he'd get them two weeks apart, but it's OK to get them both at the same time for convenience.