09/12/2023
NEWS: CDC experts voted to recommend updated COVID vaccines to better protect against the viruses that are currently circulating. The new formulation is a monovalent vaccine with protection against variant XBB, which has been dominant recently. We expect the CDC Director to sign off shortly, which means the updated vaccines will be available in the coming days (as soon as 48hrs).
Staying up-to-date on COVID vaccines is the best way to maintain strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death. If you’ve already been vaccinated, you can get this vaccine at least 2 months after your last dose.
The updated vaccine is most important for people who are at the highest risk – these groups get the most additional protection:
➡ Pregnant people, who are at higher risk for serious illness if they are infected and who pass immunity on to their newborns when vaccinated
➡ Older adults 65+
➡ People with immunocompromising conditions
➡ Anyone who has not yet been vaccinated against COVID
Pfizer and Moderna both have vaccines that will use this updated formulation & an updated Novavax vaccine is being reviewed by the FDA. The updated mRNA vaccines are made using a similar process as previous mRNA vaccines and the vaccines have similar potential side effects as the previous mRNA vaccines - you may experience soreness at the injection site, fatigue, and other effects that are mild and clear up quickly.
While kids and adults 5 and up can now get just one dose and be considered up-to-date, young children who haven’t yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 are still recommended to get more than one dose because they are less likely to have any existing immunity.
Accessing the vaccines:
➡ Adults with health insurance can get a vaccine from their doctor or at a pharmacy.
➡ Adults without health insurance or who cannot pay for a vaccine should go to vaccines.gov to find where they may get a free vaccine.
➡ Children with health insurance can get a vaccine from their doctor.
➡ Children without health insurance or who can't pay for a vaccine can get a free vaccine at a VFC provider. More info at vaccinateyourfamily.org/vaccines-for-children