Another Covid shot for high-risk people
FDA, CDC simplify vaccine recommendations in anticipation of new shots in the Fall
The FDA and CDC both took steps this week to simplify the Covid vaccination guidelines. Most importantly, people who are 65 or older or who have an immune deficiency now can get another booster shot.
These individuals are considered high risk for Covid, and the data indicates that the immunity from either a prior Covid infection or the most recent booster shot gradually weakens after about three months. Thus, if you got the “bivalent” booster soon after it was released last Fall, you may want to check with your healthcare provider about getting another shot.
Other changes:
The original Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines, which were highly effective against the original Covid strain but not effective against omicron, are no longer to be used. Now, all shots are the bivalent vaccine, which works against omicron and earlier strains.
Nearly everyone age 6 and older should get a bivalent Covid shot, regardless of whether they had previous Covid vaccinations.
Details are available at the CDC website.
To find a vaccination site, check with your healthcare provider or visit Vaccines.gov. (Covid shots continue to be free, since the U.S. government purchased them on everyone’s behalf. In some instances, providers may charge or bill insurance for administering the shots.)
More shots in the Fall? FDA, CDC and other federal authorities are monitoring Covid trends to determine whether a new formulation of the vaccines or other additional boosters may be recommended. Some experts recommend that Covid shots should be updated every year and administered in the Fall, alongside seasonal flu shots.
Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported that the Biden Administration plans to spend $5 billion on a major initiative to develop new Covid vaccines and treatments. At a House Appropriations Committee hearing Wednesday, Assistant HHS Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell said funding for “Project Next Gen” is possible in part because a predicted winter Covid surge was less severe than had been feared.
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