The latest COVID-19 booster vaccine will be available in mid-September, which will set off the annual COVID-19 booster campaign, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. announced to
CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen said at a virtual press conference that the injection is an important step in reducing some of the circulatory and respiratory diseases that can occur this winter.
The FDA has not yet approved a booster dose, but the vaccine is expected to be available to individuals perhaps 6 months and older, given the virus’ ongoing changes and weakening immunity over time. Then the federal government expects to have the latest vaccinations. COVID boosters are available every year.
“We believe vaccines are the most powerful preventive measure we can offer people,” Cohen said.
Despite new boosters becoming available, the virus continues to evolve. Experts point to a new variant, BA.2.86, which has emerged in recent weeks.
But Cohen said the new variant accounts for less than 1% of cases in the country, and vaccines currently undergoing regulatory review by the FDA are primarily for the prevalent novel coronavirus infection. He said it was tailored specifically to variants of the disease. Cohen said it was unclear whether the upcoming vaccine boost would be equally effective against the new variant in preventing severe disease, but early signs were promising.
Still, Cohen said many other tools, including testing and treatment for the novel coronavirus, have proven effective against new variants of the virus.
The latest booster was announced as Covid-19 infections remain low nationwide but are trending upwards from their summer lows.
Cohen said the county had 15,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations last week, up from early in the season, but half the 38,000 hospitalizations with the virus this time last year. was not enough.
In Massachusetts, sewage data through Aug. 28 showed that number had increased since July, and hospitalizations had also increased in recent weeks. It remains well below the level of this time last year.
Cohen said 97% of the population has basic immunity to the virus.
It’s unclear how many people will use the new booster. In Massachusetts, only 30% of the state’s population has received a booster shot since last September, according to state data updated Aug. 28.
For those who haven’t received the booster yet, Cohen advised to wait two weeks for the updated version. Older people and people with underlying medical conditions should ask their doctor if they should get a booster sooner.
The new coronavirus booster comes after an RSV vaccine becomes available for the elderly and a monoclonal antibody injection similar to the vaccine is approved for infants. The FDA has also approved an RSV vaccine for pregnant women, which should be available later this fall. Influenza vaccine is also available.
“We’ve had a lot of viruses this winter, so the addition of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus and the new coronavirus is going to strain our system,” Cohen said. “That’s why we want everyone to get ahead of it by using the tools we have to protect ourselves.”
The Southern Hemisphere, which hits the flu season earlier than the U.S., has had a typical year with flu viruses, but Cohen said that doesn’t guarantee that it will happen in the Northern Hemisphere.
You can contact Jessica Bartlett at [email protected] her @JessBartlett.
