The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has given its endorsement for an updated COVID-19 vaccine that will be available to Americans from Wednesday. This comes as the U.S enters the fall and winter respiratory virus season, with new treatments also being introduced for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants and older adults.
Here are the key highlights:
The vaccine protects against current variants
Similar to other COVID-19 vaccines, the updated version is not meant to fully prevent infection, but rather aims to reduce the severity of symptoms and lower the risk of “long COVID.”
The updated shots have been designed to target the XBB.1.5 variant, which was dominant during the formulation and testing of the new version. While this variant is no longer prevalent and only accounts for approximately 3 percent of cases, experts believe the vaccines will still provide effective protection against other circulating variants.
A CDC expert has confirmed that every significant variant currently circulating belongs to the XBB lineage. This includes EG.5, the most prevalent variant responsible for over 21 percent of U.S. cases, according to the CDC. Vaccine manufacturers have recently stated that the shots also offer protection against the BA.2.86 “Pirola” subvariant, easing concerns about its highly mutated nature.
The shots will be available at major pharmacies
Following the CDC’s endorsement, both CVS and Walgreens will have the vaccines in stock in the coming days.
Walgreens’ chief medical officer, Kevin Ban, stated that eligible individuals can schedule appointments immediately, with nationwide appointments beginning on Monday, September 18. CVS confirmed that doses will be arriving this week.
The demand is unclear
While the vaccine has been recommended for all Americans, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there will be a huge rush to get it.
In the past year, only around 20 percent of adults received the bivalent booster shot, and experts anticipate a similar response to the newest version.
Despite rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the numbers remain significantly lower than during the peak of the pandemic. Infections are not surging, and hospitals are not overwhelmed like they were previously.
Over 95 percent of the U.S. population already has some level of COVID immunity, whether through vaccination, prior infection, or both.
However, vaccines tend to be most effective in older individuals and those with weaker immune systems due to underlying conditions. According to a CDC presentation, most hospitalized individuals since January 2023 did not receive a bivalent booster.
Some people may have to pay
For the first time, the federal government is not involved in the purchase and distribution of the vaccines as the public health emergency ended in May. The COVID vaccine is now commercialized, similar to the flu shot and other vaccines.
This means that hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies, and the public will be responsible for ordering and paying for the shots.
Most consumers with private and government-sponsored insurance should be able to receive the vaccines for free, thanks to the CDC’s recommendation and the endorsement of its expert advisory panel.
However, the estimated 25 to 30 million people without insurance may face barriers. Pfizer has stated that its shot will cost $120 per dose, Moderna’s will be $129 per dose, and Novavax will charge $130 per dose.
Underinsured or uninsured Americans will have access to free shots through the Biden administration’s “Bridge to Access” program. This initiative will provide a limited supply of vaccines and therapeutics through state and local health departments and pharmacies. The program is temporary and will expire in December 2024.
The Department of Health and Human Services has announced that vaccines will be available through the program as early as this week, rather than in October as initially projected.
Vaccines likely will be updated annually
The Biden administration has decided not to refer to the updated shots as boosters, possibly due to vaccine fatigue among the public. Instead, they will be marketed as an annual shot, similar to the flu vaccine.
Immunocompromised individuals may receive an additional dose at least two months after getting the new shot.
The Food and Drug Administration stated that unless a significantly more virulent variant emerges, the composition of COVID-19 vaccines may need to be updated on an annual basis, just like the seasonal influenza vaccine.
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