WASHINGTON >> Updated COVID-19 vaccines may be more easily accessible for adults, but young children still face frustrating scarcity. Health officials issued a reminder on Thursday that kid shots are now being shipped, and they emphasized the importance of getting a fall flu shot as well.
In the past two weeks, approximately 2 million Americans have received the new COVID-19 shot, despite initial challenges with insurance companies and other complications, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
This year, the U.S. has vaccines to combat a trio of viruses that cause illness in the fall and winter. However, health officials are concerned that difficulties in obtaining the shots, coupled with vaccine fatigue, may leave many people unnecessarily vulnerable.
“We need to use them,” stated Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on Thursday. “Right now is the right time.”
Health authorities recommend the flu vaccination and the updated COVID-19 shot for almost everyone, including infants as young as 6 months.
Additionally, a vaccine for another dangerous virus called RSV is now recommended for individuals aged 60 and older, as well as certain pregnant women. Next month, a medicine similar to a vaccine is anticipated to be available to protect babies against respiratory syncytial virus.
“These vaccines may not fully prevent every infection caused by these illnesses, but they do help to decrease the severity of the illness,” explained Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
Here are some key points:
WHY DO I NEED ANOTHER COVID-19 SHOT?
This year’s vaccine has been updated to provide protection against newer variants of the constantly evolving coronavirus. Infections, hospitalizations, and deaths have increased in late summer. So far, the new vaccine appears to be effective against the current variants in circulation.
Over time, protection against COVID-19, whether from vaccination or prior infection, diminishes. As most Americans have not received a vaccine dose in about a year, everyone aged 5 and older will need one shot this fall, even if they have never been vaccinated before. Younger children may require additional doses based on their vaccination and infection history.
HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO FIND COVID-19 SHOTS?
The rollout has been somewhat chaotic. Unlike before, the government is not purchasing and providing shots for free. Now, drugstores, doctors’ offices, and other providers must place their own orders and sometimes cancel appointments if supplies do not arrive on time. Some people have had to wait for their insurance companies to update billing codes or risk paying out of pocket.
Pfizer and Moderna have shipped millions of doses and state that there is ample supply. In recent days, more appointment slots have become available, particularly for individuals aged 12 and older. Insurance companies informed Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in a meeting on Wednesday that paperwork issues, preventing some patients from getting vaccinated, have largely been resolved.
Shots should be provided free of charge to those insured. The CDC has also launched a “bridge” program to provide free shots at certain locations for the uninsured or underinsured.
WHY CAN’T PARENTS FIND COVID-19 SHOTS FOR YOUNGER KIDS?
Initially, doses for adults were shipped first, according to Dr. Mandy Cohen of the CDC. However, doses for children under 12 have now started to be distributed, and the supply is increasing.
Last week, CVS received doses for ages 5 and older, although availability varies by location. MinuteClinic locations are also planning to open appointments for children as young as 18 months in the near future.
Pediatricians have had to estimate the number of doses to purchase in advance while waiting to learn how much insurance companies will reimburse them for each shot, explained Dr. Jesse Hackell of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He mentioned that early demand from parents is encouraging, but pediatricians anticipate spending a lot of time this fall explaining to hesitant families the importance of COVID-19 vaccination, even for healthy children.
Pfizer stated that it is making changes in order to incentivize pediatricians to purchase more shots for children under 5, including offering a refund for partially used or unused vials.
Ania Mitros from Redmond, Washington was able to get herself, her husband, and her 13-year-old vaccinated easily. However, despite multiple calls to pharmacies and clinics, she cannot find anyone who can provide information on when shots will be available for her 8- and 11-year-old children. “There need to be clear expectations,” she voiced.
WHAT ABOUT FLU VACCINE?
Last year, fewer Americans received a flu vaccine compared to previous years, which is concerning to the CDC.
A flu vaccine is required every fall because the influenza virus also mutates annually. Similar to COVID-19, the flu poses the greatest risk to older adults, young children, and individuals with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions such as lung or heart problems, or pregnancy.
There are various types of flu vaccines available, including a nasal spray version for certain younger individuals. Additionally, three vaccines are specifically recommended for seniors as they more effectively stimulate the immune system of older adults.
CAN I GET A FLU SHOT AND COVID-19 SHOT AT THE SAME TIME?
Yes, it is possible to receive both vaccines simultaneously, although it may be more comfortable to get one shot in each arm.
WHO NEEDS THE NEW RSV VACCINE?
RSV is a common cold-like virus that causes significant hospitalization and mortality rates during the winter, particularly for infants and older adults. The CDC reports that RSV cases are already rising in the Southeast.
RSV vaccines from GSK and Pfizer are approved for individuals aged 60 and older.
Drugstores have sufficient supplies, but some seniors have encountered obstacles such as prescription requirements. This is because the CDC recommends that seniors consult with their doctors about receiving the new vaccine. Cohen clarified that this recommendation is solely for providing information about a virus that people may not be familiar with.
“We want folks to … get access to the vaccine as quickly as possible,” she stated.
WHAT ABOUT BABIES AND RSV?
The FDA has also approved Pfizer’s RSV vaccine to be administered in late pregnancy so that mothers can pass virus-fighting antibodies to their unborn babies, providing some protection at birth. The CDC recommends that pregnancy vaccinations be offered between September and January, as RSV tends to be most prevalent during this time.
There is currently no vaccine for children, but babies whose mothers did not receive the vaccine during pregnancy may receive an injection of laboratory-made antibodies to protect against RSV. Known as Beyfortus, this one-dose shot from Sanofi and AstraZeneca is different from a vaccine, as it does not stimulate the body to produce its own infection-fighting antibodies, but it offers similar protection. Cohen stated that it should be available in October.
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