We get it. People are tired of hearing about COVID. But, as doctors and researchers learn more about the virus, they’re also finding better ways to protect us from it.

At this point, the hope is that we can learn enough to move out of the pandemic state where the virus is out of control to an endemic phase where infections are more predictable and therefore more preventable (like the flu). And, like the flu, researchers think we may get a point when there is an annual COVID shot that targets the most dangerous variant at the time.

But, we’re not there yet. That’s why doctors and researchers are working so hard develop better tools to protect us from the disease.

 

Source: https://www.bu.edu/articles/2022/difference-between-pandemic-and-endemic/ (Boston University)
https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/public-health-now/news/epidemic-endemic-pandemic-what-are-differences  (Columbia School of Public Health)

Updated 10/07/2022