COVID hasn’t taken the summer off, and with the usual winter surge looming, the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved new vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna.
A third shot, from Novavax, has yet to be approved, but health officials are suggesting people get this shot (which is no longer called a booster) as the number of people testing positive continues to rise and hospitalizations are increasing as well.
Here’s all you need to know about this year’s COVID vaccine.
When will the new COVID vaccines be available?
The new shots will likely be available in the coming days, officials say. That’s earlier than last year, when they didn’t hit pharmacies and doctor’s offices until September.
How effective will the new COVID vaccine be against newer stains?
As with each year’s flu shot, that’s unclear at this point. The new shots target the KP.2 strain, a mutation of the variant that spread widely last winter. KP.2 is fading, though, as other related strains gain momentum. The KP.3.1.1 strain currently accounts for 36% of new COVID cases, while KP.3 accounts for 17%.
Experts, though, say getting the shot will protect against severe illness, even if you do contract the virus.
Who should get the new COVID vaccine?
Last year, only 22.5% of Americans got the updated COVID vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is hoping for higher numbers this year, urging everyone six months and older to get the shot, but are making a more urgent appeal to people over 65 or with health conditions, such as a weakened immune system or obesity.
Should I get the new COVID vaccine immediately or wait until winter is closer?
A lot of that depends on your situation. If you’re at high risk or elderly, the CDC suggests getting the shot as soon as possible. If you’ve been caught up in the summer COVID wave, you can consider delaying getting the shot for up to three months, as you likely have some natural immunity.
For people who are young and healthy, there are two ways of looking at the timing. The new vaccines are matched to the current wave, meaning you’ll likely see a bigger benefit for what’s out there right now. Waiting until later in the fall, in the September or October time frame, could give you the most protection through the winter months, though.
Can I get my flu shot and the new COVID vaccine at the same time?
Yes. It’s safe to get both shots at the same time, health officials say.