COVID hasn’t taken the summer season off and with the standard winter surge looming, the Meals and Drug Administration on Thursday accepted new vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna.
A 3rd shot, from Novavax, has but to be accepted, however well being officers are suggesting individuals get this shot (which is not referred to as a booster) because the variety of individuals testing optimistic continues to rise and hospitalizations are rising as properly.
Right here’s all it’s worthwhile to learn about this 12 months’s COVID vaccine.
When will the brand new COVID vaccines be out there?
The brand new pictures will seemingly be out there within the coming days, officers say. That’s sooner than final 12 months, after they didn’t hit pharmacies and physician’s places of work till September.
How efficient will the brand new COVID vaccine be towards newer stains?
As with every year’s flu shot, that’s unclear at this level. The brand new pictures goal the KP.2 pressure, a mutation of the variant that unfold broadly final winter. KP.2 is fading, although, as different associated strains achieve momentum. The KP.3.1.1 pressure at the moment accounts for 36% of recent COVID circumstances and KP.3 accounts for 17%.
Specialists, although, say getting the shot will defend towards extreme sickness, even in the event you do contract the virus.
Who ought to get the brand new COVID vaccine?
Final 12 months, solely 22.5% of People obtained the up to date COVID vaccine. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention are hoping for greater numbers this 12 months, urging everybody six months and older to get the shot, however are making a extra pressing attraction to individuals over 65 or with well being situations, akin to a weakened immune system or weight problems.
Ought to I get the brand new COVID vaccine instantly or wait till winter is nearer?
Loads of that will depend on your state of affairs… Should you’re at excessive danger or aged, the CDC suggests getting the shot as quickly as doable. Should you’ve been caught up in the summertime COVID wave, you possibly can contemplate delayed getting the shot for as much as three months, as you seemingly have some pure immunity.
For people who find themselves younger and wholesome, there are two methods of trying on the timing. The brand new vaccines are matched to the present wave, that means you’ll seemingly see a greater profit for what’s on the market proper now. Ready till later within the fall, within the September or October timeframe, might provide the most safety via the winter months, although.
Can I get my flu shot and the brand new COVID vaccine on the similar time?
Sure. It’s protected to get each pictures on the similar time, well being officers say.
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