A New Round of COVID-19 Vaccines Arrives in the US
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has cleared single-strain shots from Pfizer and Moderna for all Americans six months and older. These vaccines target the omicron subvariant called XBB.1.5. The first doses of the new shots will be available within 48 hours of the CDC’s recommendation. This means that Americans could start receiving the vaccines as soon as Thursday.
The FDA is also reviewing an updated vaccine from Novavax for individuals aged 12 and up.
New Vaccines Aim to Prevent a Severe COVID-19 Wave
As COVID-19 hospitalizations increase, concerns are rising about the potential impact in the fall and winter months. Public health officials hope that the arrival of new vaccines will help prevent another severe wave of COVID-19 and a “tripledemic” involving COVID-19, the flu, and respiratory syncytial virus. The Biden administration is encouraging eligible Americans to receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine alongside an annual flu shot and an RSV jab.
A survey conducted by the CDC in August found that approximately 42% of Americans stated that they would “definitely” or “probably” get a COVID-19 vaccine in the fall.
Updated COVID-19 Vaccines: Who Should Get Them?
The CDC recommends that all Americans aged 6 months and older receive the updated COVID-19 vaccines. The agency provides specific guidelines for different age groups and risk levels.
Key recommendations include:
- All individuals aged 6 and older should receive at least one dose of an updated mRNA vaccine this year, regardless of whether they’ve received any original COVID-19 shots.
- People aged 65 years and older may receive an additional dose of a new COVID-19 vaccine four or more months after their first dose.
- Children aged 6 months through 5 years who are getting vaccinated for the first time should complete their primary series with two doses of an updated Moderna shot or three doses of a new Pfizer jab.
- Immunocompromised individuals should receive one or more doses of a new shot, depending on their vaccination history.
Where to Get the Updated COVID-19 Vaccines
The updated shots will be available at pharmacies, health clinics, and community centers. Several pharmacy chains, including Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Albertsons, and Kroger, will offer appointments for the new vaccines. Americans can also use the federal website vaccines.gov to find other locations providing the updated COVID-19 shots.
Are the New COVID-19 Shots Free?
The federal government aims to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines remain free for all individuals. Private insurers will cover the cost, and government payers such as Medicare and Medicaid will also provide coverage with no copayments. For uninsured and underinsured individuals, free vaccines will be available through the Bridge Access Program at participating health centers, clinics, and pharmacies across the US.
Timing for the Updated COVID-19 Vaccine
Individuals should consult their doctors to determine the timing for getting an updated COVID-19 vaccine. High-risk individuals should receive the vaccine as soon as possible. Younger, healthy adults can choose to wait for immunity to kick in around specific events or the winter holidays. It is recommended to wait at least two months after a previous vaccination before receiving an updated vaccine.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
