Newly updated mRNA vaccines, available for individuals aged 6 months and older, offer improved protection against severe COVID-19 outcomes. These vaccines target the XBB.1.5 variant, along with other recent SARS-CoV-2 strains such as EG.5 and BA.2.86.
The FDA and CDC approved updated Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines in mid-September, along with an updated Novavax vaccine for those aged 12 and older in October. Below are the facts highlighted by experts from Yale that people should know about the updated COVID-19 protection:
Why Is Another COVID Vaccine Needed?
The updated COVID-19 vaccines target reducing severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths, addressing COVID-19's significant impact on respiratory health, with the potential to prevent numerous hospitalizations and deaths across all age groups, as emphasized by the CDC.
What Sets the Updated COVID Vaccine Apart From Its Predecessor?
The new COVID vaccine, distinct from the previous bivalent booster, focuses on preventing the severe disease from the prevalent XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant, although adapting vaccines to rapidly evolving variants remains a challenge.
What Sets the New COVID Vaccine Apart From a Booster Shot?
The FDA labels the new COVID vaccines as "updated vaccines" as they are expected to protect against current variants by helping the body establish a new immune response, similar to how the flu shot is updated annually in response to evolving strains.
Will This COVID Vaccine Protect Against Omicron Strains EG.5 and BA.2.86?
The updated COVID vaccine is likely to protect against Omicron strains like EG.5, which was prevalent at the end of September, and is genetically similar to the XBB subvariant targeted by the vaccine, but more research is needed for the less widespread BA.2.86 strain.
Is It Safe?
The CDC emphasizes that the advantages of the COVID-19 vaccine outweigh the potential risks, with rare serious reactions, and a study indicates that the risk of cardiac complications in males aged 12-17 is higher after a COVID-19 infection compared to vaccination.
Is It Safe For Children?
The FDA approved the updated mRNA vaccines for adolescents and teenagers aged 12 and older and authorized them for emergency use in children aged 6 months through 11 years, emphasizing the importance of vaccination for immunocompromised children to protect them from potential illness.
Did Novavax Release a New Vaccine?
The FDA has authorized an updated Novavax vaccine targeting the XBB.1.5 strain, available for individuals aged 12 and older who were previously vaccinated with a different COVID-19 vaccine or unvaccinated, to provide improved protection against severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization and death. It utilizes a non-mRNA technology distinct from the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.
When Should I Get the New COVID Vaccine?
Experts recommend getting the updated COVID vaccine in October for peak immunity during the expected winter case surge, with maximal protection typically within three months after vaccination.
Is It Safe To Receive the Updated COVID Vaccine Alongside Other Seasonal Vaccinations?
The CDC deems it safe to receive the COVID and flu vaccines simultaneously, with ongoing research exploring the possibility of administering both in a single shot; however, the safety of concurrently receiving RSV vaccines for older adults and pregnant women with the other shots is uncertain due to the novelty of these vaccines.
Where To Get the Updated COVID-19 Vaccine?
The updated COVID-19 vaccines will be available at participating pharmacies and provider offices, and appointments can be scheduled through Vaccines.gov or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
However, temporary distribution and insurance issues may affect availability in some areas, with coverage provided by insurance, Medicare plans, Medicaid plans, the Vaccine for Children Program, and the Bridge Access Program for uninsured individuals.
RELATED ARTICLE: COVID-19 Update: When Will Next Vaccine Be Available; Who Should Get It?
Check out more news and information on COVID-19 in Science Times.
