He is a senior official at the Food and Drug Administration and is responsible for overseeing the approval of new vaccines being rolled out this fall and winter. Three threats from respiratory virusessaid this month that he personally plans to space out his vaccinations over the coming weeks.
“Some people say, ‘Can I get RSV, COVID-19, and influenza vaccines on the same day?’ Yes, certainly, it’s possible. But to be honest, I might not be able to. “No,” said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
Instead, he said he would Get vaccinated against the new coronavirus Then, in early October, I received a flu shot.
Mr. Marks was speaking during his lecture. recent phone calls He emphasized that he did not disagree with FDA officials. guidance It is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and allows for multiple different routine injections to be given during the same visit. Doctors call this “co-administration” or “simultaneous administration” of vaccines.
However, he acknowledged that administering up to three different vaccines at the same time could cause side effects, such as stronger fatigue and mild fever, in the days following vaccination.
By spacing the injections about two weeks apart, he said, “we can minimize the potential for interaction and minimize the potential for interaction disruption.” It may be a good option for people who don’t mind making multiple trips to the pharmacy or doctor’s office.
“Maybe you just want to space your doses a little bit apart, but if you have to drive long distances to get the vaccine, it’s not unreasonable to get all three at once,” Marks said. Maybe not,” he said.
Get the latest COVID-19 vaccine now
Of the options currently available, Marks plans to Latest new coronavirus infection vaccine beginning.
Health officials are fortunate to have a vaccine that appears to be effective in protecting against infectious diseases. Currently circulating virus strainsHe said.
“It’s like having a bird on your hands. You’re holding a bird on your hands. It’s a good match, and with COVID-19 going around, it’s the perfect time to go get vaccinated,” Marks said.
The FDA chosen The strains targeted in the current vaccination date back to June, paving the way for vaccine makers to ramp up production ahead of the fall rollout.
Marks cited recent data that suggests this. latest vaccineshas been modified from an earlier design to target the XBB.1.5 strain of the virus, and may also be effective in providing increased protection against its closely related descendants, which are currently predominant across the country.
Early results shared by vaccine makers With CDC panel Earlier this month, it was suggested that these updated shots may also be effective against adverse effects. Highly mutated BA.2.86 variantis being reported in a growing number of states.
Some key coronavirus trends Emergency department visithas started to slow down in recent weeks due to: summer waves It started accelerating last month. The CDC predicts another “moderate” wave to begin in the coming cold season. disease forecasters sayIt is predicted that the peak of that surge could be reached sooner than last season.
Marks said health officials could allow additional doses to some vulnerable groups in the fall or winter.
“If we find out that people may benefit from additional doses in a few months, I think we’ll probably work with our colleagues at the CDC to issue a recommendation at that time. But for now, “We’re just talking about one recommendation: single dose,” he said.
I am planning to get my influenza vaccination in early October.
Marks said she plans to get a flu shot by early next month.
“I usually get my flu vaccine around October 1st,” Marks said.
This is slower than some health officials within the Biden administration. CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen Posted On September 6th, he announced on social media that he had received a flu shot.
As in previous seasons, the CDC’s official Recommendations This year, it is “[flu] Vaccination should ideally take place during September or October. ”
Marks said the protective effect of the influenza vaccine may be diminished, highlighting why people should not get vaccinated too early in the season, before the threat of infection increases. The peak of the influenza epidemic in the United States is usually from December to February, but can last into the spring.
Marks said the protection provided by the flu shot is “a little bit shorter-lived than we thought, and in some ways it’s similar to the coronavirus vaccine.”
right now, CDC weekly data This suggests that influenza activity remains at low levels in most parts of the country.
New options for RSV
For the first time this year, some Americans have a new option to get vaccinated against RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).
Elderly people aged 60 and over can obtain the following: new vaccine doses Developed by Pfizer or GSK. CDC It is recommended This year, it says shots will be provided “as soon as vaccine supplies become available.”
CDC data RSV infections are beginning to accelerate in some regions of the country, with the southeast showing the fastest rise.
CDC Advisory Committee on Friday Recommendation Pfizer’s new RSV vaccine should also be given during pregnancy in the hope of passing protection to newborns during their most vulnerable first few months of life. The committee recommended that pregnant women receive one dose of the vaccine between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
a new antibody injection Sanofi and AstraZeneca’s products will also be available for infants this year. Recommendation It is given to infants born in advance of this upcoming RSV season.
