As the fall respiratory virus season approaches, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its approval to two updated COVID-19 vaccines. Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech have developed new messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines that are specifically formulated to target the variants currently circulating, rendering previous vaccines obsolete.
Dr. Priya Sampathkumar, an infectious diseases expert at Mayo Clinic, explains, “The newly approved vaccine by the FDA focuses on a different strain of the COVID virus compared to the original vaccine and the bivalent vaccines released last year. It targets the XBB.1.5 strain, also known as the omicron-type virus, which has been spreading throughout the U.S. and many parts of the world since the beginning of this year.”
Is it considered a booster?
According to Dr. Sampathkumar, this updated vaccine is not categorized as a booster but can be likened to the annual updated influenza vaccine. The influenza vaccine is modified each year to align with the changing strains.
Who should receive the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine?
The CDC panel of vaccine experts recommends that all Americans aged 6 months and older should receive the new 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Sampathkumar states, “The COVID vaccine should be taken by those at the highest risk of complications, including older individuals, people with weakened immune systems, and very young children. These groups have shown to be particularly vulnerable to severe complications caused by COVID.”
In addition to the COVID-19 vaccine, health experts strongly advise people to also get vaccinated for influenza. It is safe to receive both vaccines simultaneously, as they have been proven to prevent serious complications such as hospitalization and death from COVID-19 and the flu.
Dr. Sampathkumar further advises, “The influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. The individuals who benefit the most from this vaccine are the same ones who benefit from the COVID vaccine—older individuals, people with underlying immune deficiencies, and those with underlying heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease—because they are more susceptible to influenza-related complications.”
Once available, Mayo Clinic will offer the influenza and 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines. Alternatively, you may choose to get the new COVID-19 vaccine at a nearby pharmacy for convenience. To find a vaccination location near you, text your ZIP code to “438829” or call 800-232-0233.
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