The FDA just approved a fresh COVID vaccine for everyone 6 months and up. This yearly shot brings up questions for many people.
Should you get it now during the current outbreak? Or wait for winter?
The new vaccine can help protect everyone. But if you’re healthy and already had shots or caught COVID before, you might want to hold off for a few months.
COVID is pretty common now. Some folks barely notice it. Others feel awful for days or weeks.
A small number of people, usually older or sick, end up in the hospital or worse.
High-risk groups should get the shot. But the protection fades after a few months.
If you rush to get it now, you might be more likely to get sick this winter when COVID hits hard again.
On the flip side, by late fall, the virus might change. This could make the vaccine less helpful.
The FDA’s top vaccine expert wants everyone to get the shot soon. He says the risk of long COVID is higher if you’re not vaccinated.
Not many people got last year’s COVID shot. This summer’s outbreak has been big, with lots of virus showing up in wastewater.
The CDC uses this data now since fewer people report test results.
The West and South have it worst right now. New York has “high” levels, while Georgia is “very high.”
More people are in the hospital and dying from COVID lately. But it’s not as bad as past summers or winters.
In July, over 2,000 people died from COVID. That’s a lot, but way less than the 25,700+ deaths in July 2020.
Vaccines and past infections have helped. A new study shows current variants might be less dangerous.
Mice didn’t die when exposed to a recent variant, unlike with older ones.
Public health officials say people seem to be handling COVID at home more. Connecticut’s public health boss said cases went up a bit, but hospitals and ERs weren’t hit hard.
COVID doesn’t just spread in cold months like the flu. No one’s sure why. It might be because:
- People gather inside with air conditioning in summer
- COVID might do better in humidity
- It’s still new and very catchy
The CDC suggests new COVID shots each year as the virus changes. Last fall’s booster targeted the 2023 omicron variant.
This year’s shots from Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax (not FDA-approved yet) aim at a newer variant called JN.1.
The FDA says the new shots will still protect against severe illness and death, even as newer variants pop up.
Fewer people are getting COVID shots now. Only 1 in 5 adults got vaccinated since last September. That’s way down from the 80% who got the first dose.
New York’s doing a bit better than average, while Georgia’s lower at 17%.
Vaccination rates are lower in:
- States that voted for Trump in 2020
- Groups with less money and education
- People with less health care access
- Those who can’t take time off work
These groups are also more likely to get very sick or die from COVID.
The new shots target current variants better. But if you don’t have insurance, you might need to hurry to get one for free.
A CDC program that gave out 1.5 million shots last year is ending August 31st.
The CDC scraped together $62 million to help state and local health departments give shots to people without coverage.
But that might not go far if each shot costs $86 like last year.
If you pay out-of-pocket at a pharmacy, it’ll cost more. CVS plans to charge $201.99 for the new shot.
When people can’t afford or access vaccines, health outcomes get worse.
We might see more outbreaks among working poor folks who can’t take time off.
New York state has about $1 million to help when the CDC program ends. That’ll buy around 12,500 shots for uninsured adults. But there are about 1 million uninsured people in the state.
Last year, experts decided to push for yearly fall COVID and flu shots, plus a one-time RSV shot for some groups.
It’s not practical to change the COVID vaccine recipe twice a year. Offering all three shots in one or two visits seems best to get more people vaccinated.
In October, experts might suggest vulnerable people get a second COVID shot in spring to help with summer outbreaks.
If you’re high-risk and waiting to get vaccinated:
- Wear a mask
- Avoid big crowds
- Get tested if you think you have COVID
If you test positive and you’re high-risk, see a doctor. The antiviral pill Paxlovid might help keep you out of the hospital.
For others who feel sick and don’t want to spread COVID:
- Take one test
- If positive, try to stay home for a few days
- Wear a mask for several days after
- Avoid crowded rooms
There’s no point in repeat testing after a positive result. Virus particles can hang around in your nose for days without meaning you’re still contagious.
The government will give out four free COVID tests to anyone who asks starting in late September. You can get them at covidtest.gov.
