On Thursday, U.S. regulators approved new COVID-19 vaccines designed to target recent virus strains and upcoming winter variants. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Pfizer and Moderna to begin shipping millions of doses.
Novavax, another U.S. vaccine manufacturer, plans to release its updated version slightly later.
Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA’s vaccine chief, urged eligible individuals to get the new vaccine for better protection against current variants.
The FDA’s decision came ahead of last year’s timeline due to a summer surge in COVID-19 cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the new vaccine for everyone aged six months and older, with vaccinations potentially starting within days.
While many Americans have some immunity from previous infections or vaccinations, this protection decreases over time. Last fall’s vaccines targeted a strain no longer in circulation, with only about 22.5% of adults and 14% of children receiving them.
Dr. Robert Hopkins Jr. from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases cautioned against skipping the new vaccine. He noted that even mild past infections could lead to more severe future cases or long COVID symptoms.
This fall’s vaccine targets a newer branch of omicron variants. Pfizer and Moderna’s shots focus on the KP.2 subtype, which was common earlier this year. Although newer subtypes like KP.3.1.1 are emerging, the vaccines are expected to offer cross-protection.
Pfizer reported that its updated vaccine generates a significantly better response against multiple virus subtypes compared to last fall’s version.
The key question is when to get vaccinated. The current summer COVID-19 wave continues, but winter surges are often more severe. While COVID-19 vaccines effectively prevent severe illness, their protection against mild infections lasts only a few months.
Dr. Hopkins advises high-risk individuals, such as older adults, those with weakened immune systems, nursing home residents, and pregnant women, to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Healthy younger adults and children can get vaccinated at any time, with a recommendation to wait until fall when more doses will be available.
The CDC suggests that individuals who recently had COVID-19 can wait three months after recovery before getting vaccinated.
Dr. Hopkins emphasizes the importance of vaccinating children, especially with high COVID-19 levels as schools start. He points out that while COVID-19 rarely kills children, it is more deadly than influenza. Teachers should also update their vaccinations promptly.
Health authorities confirm that COVID-19 and flu vaccinations can be administered simultaneously, saving people from making two separate trips. However, flu shots are usually most effective when given from late September through October, just before flu season peaks.
