New Round of Covid Vaccines Arrive in the U.S.

A new round of Covid vaccines has been cleared for use in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved single-strain shots from Pfizer and Moderna, targeting the omicron subvariant called XBB.1.5. The vaccines were also approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The first doses of these new shots will be available at select pharmacies and vaccine distribution locations within 48 hours of the CDC’s recommendation, meaning that Americans may start receiving the vaccines as early as Thursday.

Concerns Over Covid Hospitalizations and Upcoming Fall and Winter Months

Covid hospitalizations have been increasing for seven consecutive weeks in the U.S., reaching 17,418 as of the week ending August 26, according to the CDC. While this number is lower than the surge seen in the summer of 2022, it is raising concerns about the potential spread of Covid during the fall and winter months when respiratory viruses tend to spread more easily. Public health officials and experts are hopeful that the arrival of new vaccines will help prevent another severe wave of Covid, as well as a combination of Covid, the flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that overwhelmed hospitals last winter.

Who Should Get the Updated Shots?

The CDC recommends that all Americans aged six months and older receive the new Covid vaccines. Specific guidelines for staying up to date on vaccines vary based on age group and risk level. Everyone aged six and older should get at least one dose of an updated mRNA vaccine this year, even if they have already received previous Covid shots. Additional doses of the new Covid vaccine may be given to people aged 65 and older, children aged 6 months to 5 years, and individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

Where Can You Get the New Shots?

The new Covid vaccines will be available at pharmacies, health clinics, and community centers, among other vaccine distribution sites. These locations will no longer offer last year’s bivalent boosters. Retail pharmacy chains such as Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Albertsons, and Kroger will start offering appointments for the new vaccines. The federal website vaccines.gov will also provide information on other locations offering the updated Covid shots.

Will the Updated Shots Be Free?

The cost of Covid vaccines has changed slightly this year, but the federal government aims to ensure that all individuals can still receive them for free. Manufacturers will sell the updated shots directly to healthcare providers at a price of over $120 per dose. Private insurers and government payers such as Medicare and Medicaid will cover the cost of the new vaccines with no co-payments. Uninsured and underinsured individuals can access the new vaccines for free through the Bridge Access Program.

When Should You Get the New Covid Vaccine?

The timing of the new Covid vaccine largely depends on individual risk levels and situations. Higher-risk individuals, such as older adults and those who are immunocompromised, should get the vaccine as soon as possible. Younger, healthy adults may choose to wait and time their vaccination around specific events or the winter holidays when they may be more exposed to Covid. It is recommended to wait two months after a recent vaccination or three months after a recent infection before getting an updated vaccine.

Effectiveness of the Updated Shots

The new Covid vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax are designed to target the XBB.1.5 variant. The effectiveness of these vaccines against the variant is still being studied, but they are expected to provide protection against severe illness and hospitalization.