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Have you asked yourself, “When will the new COVID 2024 vaccine be available?”
The short answer is: it’s here. But while the “fall vaccine” was approved much earlier this year than the 2023 COVID-19 vaccine, just like last year, it will possibly be some time before those vaccines are widely available to the public.
On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved updated COVID vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer (also known as Comirnaty), which are expected to begin rolling out across the United States in the coming weeks, as the summer 2024 wave begins. of infections continues throughout the country.
Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that anyone 6 months of age and older have up-to-date vaccinations at pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Safeway, as well as physical care facilities. providers, county public fitness departments, community departments, and clinics.
Sometimes these COVID vaccines are sourced from pharmacies first, as pharmacies follow the lead of the federal government, not the state; However, because the vaccines will have to be shipped, it may still be a while before they become unavailable. Had. For example, lately CVS is offering appointments for the new COVID vaccine starting Aug. 30 at the earliest, and Walgreens is offering appointments starting Sept. 6.
We will continue to update the advisor as vaccines begin to roll out, so bookmark this link.
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Remember: Unlike previous rounds of vaccines, the FDA and CDC stopped calling those updated vaccines “booster shots” in 2023, so you may not see this language online around appointments. Instead, they’re calling those annual fall vaccines “new” or “updated” that have been reformulated to better target a newer strain of the coronavirus: this time, the omicron variant known as KPArray2, which was not unusual last year. year.
Read on to find out what you want to know about the new COVID vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna and how to locate an available COVID vaccine near you when it becomes available. Or go to:
If you’re wondering why the new COVID vaccine is taking so long to become available now, why you can no longer go to a vaccination site to get an updated vaccine, and why fitness insurance is vital now. It’s due to a first update that went into effect last year: the federal government stopped footing the bill for COVID vaccines.
These shots are now available in the classic physical care market, like many other types of vaccines. So, for most people with fitness insurance, insurers will now directly cover the cost of getting the new COVID vaccine, just like your plan might cover. your flu shot. That’s why many county public fitness officials urge others to seek the new vaccine first through their physical care provider (and also why county-run vaccination sites that weren’t all that unusual at the height of the pandemic aren’t). I’m not doing it now. They exist, at least on the same scale. )
But now that COVID vaccines are being sold and distributed through the health care marketplace, that also means it’s much less easy for others without health insurance to find a loose vaccine. Go to “How do I locate a COVID vaccine if I’m uninsured?” »
Not yet, it looks like an updated edition of the Novavax vaccine will arrive a little later.
Unlike the new COVID shots from Pfizer and Moderna, the Novavax vaccine is a protein-based vaccine without mRNA. One reason some people are opting for the Novavax vaccine is based on the shot’s side effects: As Science reported, Novavax “seemed less likely than mRNA shots to cause side effects like pain. ” headache and fatigue” clinical trials.
Like the flu vaccine, COVID vaccines are now introduced annually in the fall, and their “recipe” is updated each year in hopes of achieving maximum effectiveness against existing strains.
This new 2024-2025 COVID vaccine is an updated vaccine that replaces the 2023-2024 vaccine, which now deserves to be made obsolete. The recipe for this new vaccine will be directed at a more recent target: the KP. 2 subvariant of omicron.
COVID strains are a moving target, and as can be seen in the CDC’s COVID Variant Tracker, KP. 2 is no longer the dominant subvariant in the United States; lately it is KP. 3. 1. 1. But this circle of relatives of the omicron subvariants is similar enough that the vaccines promise cross-protection. A Pfizer spokesperson said the company has submitted information to the FDA, apparently that its updated vaccine “generates a particularly advanced response” against several virus subtypes compared to last fall’s vaccine.
“The vaccine is not intended to be perfect. It will certainly not save COVID-19,” said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in delivering the approval decision. “It can prevent other people from contracting severe cases that lead to the emergency room, the hospital, or worse, death; that is what we seek to do with those vaccines. “
The new vaccines are expected to reduce the risk of contracting COVID by 60 to 70% and the risk of contracting COVID by 80 to 90%, Marks says.
As of Aug. 22, anyone 6 months and older who received their last COVID vaccine shot at least two months ago, whether it’s their number one shot or their last booster shot, can get an updated COVID vaccine from Pfizer or Moderna as soon as possible. as possible. as vaccination appointments available. As in 2023, nominations may not be distributed immediately, depending on your location. Go directly to where you can locate a new COVID vaccine near you.
“Vaccination remains the cornerstone of COVID-19 prevention,” said the FDA’s Marks. “Given the waning immunity of the population following previous exposure to the virus and prior vaccination, we strongly inspire those who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to offer greater coverage against recently circulating variants.
There are no express rules for certain age groups, but, as with other vaccines, children under 12 years of age will be introduced to a pediatric (lower) dose of this vaccine.
The FDA’s Marks said that “when it hits pharmacies, I’ll probably be online as soon as it’s released. “
“Right now we’re in a wave, so I’d like to know what’s happening now,” he said. “So I would probably get vaccinated as soon as possible. Because right now, the game is pretty close. ” . You will probably get the most out of this vaccine compared to the one circulating lately.
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at UCSF, said older adults (65 and older) or other immunocompromised people who have not received a COVID vaccine in the past year or had a COVID infection are seeking their new vaccine. Get vaccinated as soon as you can. These are “the other people I’ve noticed in the hospital in very poor health due to COVID in recent months,” Chin-Hong said.
Additionally, for Chin-Hong, the most productive vaccine is the one you receive, so “at the end of the day, convenience trumps everything,” he said. “If you are motivated to get the updated COVID vaccine when it comes out as soon as possible, please do so. ”
“Hugging him when he’s motivated outweighs being strategic in all of this,” Chin-Hong said.
Delaying getting the updated vaccine may be a smart thing to. . .
Those who need the most productive immunity imaginable in the face of a winter wave and during the holidays
Marks also said that while he personally will receive his vaccine immediately, others could wait until September or October if they are also concerned about having maximum protection during the expected winter COVID surge. only during the holidays. ” Getting vaccinated between September and early October turns out to be a pretty moderate thing to help protect yourself during the period from December to January,” Marks said.
For Chin-Hong, the “sweet spot” to receive the new COVID vaccine, if you are not in the highest threat organization mentioned above, “is still in October, so antibodies peak in winter, when things get worse than summer.
“This will apply to the maximum number of people,” he said. And “the superpower of the vaccine is protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death,” the updated vaccine “also has the advantage of expanding the force picture against infection,” Chin-Hong said. “Since there are so many occasions after October — Thanksgiving, holidays, Christmas, New Year’s — you may also need your antibodies to peak around that time to qualify for the bonus that reduces the threat of infection. “
People who have received a COVID vaccine or COVID infection
Another explanation for why you would have to wait to get the new vaccine: if you got your last COVID vaccine less than two months ago, or if you had a COVID infection less than 3 months ago. (PDF) (If your case is asymptomatic, use the date of your positive test instead of the onset of your symptoms. )
“If you got a vaccine in the summer or got infected during the summer, you shouldn’t rush to get the new vaccine because you’ll be well protected,” Chin-Hong said. “Wait until October and get your flu and anti-COVID shot at the same time. “
Uninsured people who need a free vaccine
The CDC’s Bridge Access program, which was introduced in September 2023 to provide free COVID vaccines to the uninsured, was scheduled to last through December but ends this month. And while a CDC spokesperson said the company would be responsible for declaring “$62 million in unused vaccine contract money” to help vaccinate others without health insurance, it’s not yet clear how that will work in practice.
Waiting for your fall COVID vaccine, Chin-Hong said, “will give more time for this formula to be established so you don’t get charged if you don’t have insurance. “
It is absolutely appropriate and safe to get a flu shot at the same time as your new COVID vaccine, and as appointments multiply, you will find that your COVID vaccine appointments will prompt you to “add” a flu vaccine on the same consultation, especially in pharmacies. However, if you’re looking to schedule your child’s vaccinations, the CDC implored you in 2023 to first tell your pediatrician about the most productive schedule for COVID and flu vaccines (and now the RSV preventative). , respiratory syncytial virus). Well).
That said, fitness professionals’ recommendations for when to get a flu shot are based on the fact that, like the COVID vaccine, it takes about two weeks after getting vaccinated for antibodies to develop. and provide coverage against the virus.
The CDC says September and October are “sometimes smart times” to get a flu shot. In 2023, UCSF’s Chin-Hong told KQED that his “sweet spot” for receiving this vaccine is “sometime before Halloween”; However, she notes that this is based on classic predictions that the flu season will begin in November and peak around January or February. If flu cases start rising sooner, you’ll get vaccinated sooner, she said. And ultimately, in the spirit that any vaccine is better than no vaccine, “do what is most practical,” she advised.
Assume that they will proactively contact you to request the new COVID vaccine.
Note that a linked stall will possibly only bring a linked logo of the new vaccine, either Moderna or Pfizer (or soon Novavax). So make sure the position you’ll be attending or booking an appointment for has the type of up-to-date vaccine you want or want.
Also, make sure the appointment you schedule for your new vaccine is at least two months after your last COVID vaccine shot, or 3 months after your last COVID infection. (When you schedule an e-appointment for a new vaccine, you’ll most likely be asked when your last dose of the COVID vaccine or booster dose was due for this reason, to make sure you don’t get the vaccine too soon. )
If you don’t have fitness insurance, check out what we know about COVID vaccination for people without insurance.
1. Find a new COVID vaccine at a pharmacy, when available
For long-term reference, pharmacies are the first place to get new vaccines when they are announced, as pharmacies rely on the federal government, not the state.
For example, CVS’ COVID vaccination landing page states that the pharmacy chain is “now awaiting the arrival of the new COVID-19 vaccines for 2024-2025” and that “you can book an appointment electronically online now for a date in the near future. ” “Walgreens will also offer appointments for the new vaccine starting September 6.
Please note that pharmacies vaccinate children under the age of 3, with the exception of CVS MinuteClinics, which can vaccinate children up to 18 months old.
If you have fitness insurance, you deserve to be able to schedule a vaccination appointment at a pharmacy to be billed for the cost of your shot. One big exception: If you get your fitnesscare through a Physical Care formula like Kaiser Permanente, in fact, you may not be able to get your new COVID vaccine for free (i. e. , covered by your insurance) at a pharmacy like CVS or Walgreens, in the same way you can’t get the flu shot through Kaiser at a pharmacy. any.
Ultimately, if you’re a member of a physical care formula like Kaiser and aren’t sure what your health insurance covers, contact your provider to check if you want to get your new COVID vaccine through them, so it’s covered.
2. Seek a new COVID vaccine with your healthcare provider, when available
If you have fitness insurance, check with your fitness service provider to see if they can offer you an updated COVID vaccine. The San Francisco Department of Public Health emphasizes that “physical care providers are the first to go through physical care for COVID-19 and flu. ” That said, you may still have to wait for materials to arrive at your physical care provider, even after new injections are first authorized.
If you don’t have fitness insurance and still get health care from a provider that operates in the city or county, check with that location to see if they can offer you the new COVID vaccine.
In addition to looking to speak directly with your health care provider, check to see if they offer the option to schedule an appointment and sign up for vaccination notifications if that’s an option.
3. Find a new COVID vaccine at vaccins. gov, when available
Visit the federal government’s vaccins. gov online page to see when appointments for the new updated COVID vaccine will be available in or near your zip code.
A message on the site says the CDC is updating this tool, “including replacing the vaccine locator with a pharmacy locator tool to help others locate a nearby pharmacy, and this” locator tool will be added either for 2024-2025 flu and COVID-19. ” 19 vaccines widely available.
4. Find a new COVID vaccine from Moderna or Pfizer My Turn, when available
Throughout the pandemic, My Turn has been the state’s turn for all Californians to schedule vaccination appointments or locate walk-in appointment spots, regardless of vaccination status. Fitness insurance.
As the new COVID-19 vaccines are now distributed through the classic physical care market, My Turn now primarily serves the uninsured.
If you stop on the My Shift page, choose “Schedule an Appointment. “My Turn will ask for your information and the zip code or location you should use to locate vaccine appointments. You can enter your home location or enter other places to see which sites can be found farther away.
If you are unable to get to a clinic to get your new COVID vaccine due to fitness or transportation issues, you can make a note of this when registering for My Turn, and a CDPH representative will be expected to call you to set up a home or transportation.
My Turn will ask you to provide a cell phone number and email address. The state says it’s so you can use two-factor authentication to verify your identity and book electronic appointments, and to prevent robots from automatically picking up online appointments. .
If you have an email address or mobile phone number, or if you have questions, you can call the California COVID-19 Hotline at (833) 422-4255 (Monday through Friday, 8 a. m. m. a 8 p. m. , Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a. m. m. a 8 p. m. ). I am. ). 17:00 PT and log in by phone. English and Spanish speaking operators are available. Callers who need data in other languages will be connected to a translation service that will provide assistance in more than 250 languages.
5. Find a new COVID vaccine in your county, when available
Visit your county’s public online fitness page to find out if your county will soon offer the new updated COVID vaccine to its residents, especially those who are uninsured or underinsured.
Find your Bay Area county in our list.
The CDC’s Bridge Access program, which was introduced in September 2023 to provide free COVID vaccines to the uninsured, was scheduled to last through December but ends this month.
A CDC spokesperson told KQED that the company will now provide states with “$62 million in unused cash from vaccine contracts” to assist state and local fitness departments this respiratory virus season “and help improve access to COVID vaccines for uninsured and underinsured Americans. “At this time, the main points of how this will work for other uninsured people in California are unclear. Therefore, we will continue to update this section as we look at new data on how others without health insurance can find loose health insurance or cheap vaccine.
Uninsured youth ages 18 and older can still receive free COVID vaccines (and other free vaccines) through the Children’s Vaccine Program.
Something to keep in mind this fall: If you receive health care through a fitness formula like Kaiser Permanente, you will be asked to pay out of pocket if you order your new COVID vaccine at a pharmacy like CVS or Walgreens.
So that? Generally, if you have fitness insurance, you should be able to schedule a vaccination appointment at the pharmacy using your insurer’s contact details so they can be billed for the cost of the shot. Health systems like Kaiser are the exception to this, so you almost certainly won’t be able to get your new COVID vaccine at a pharmacy like CVS or Walgreens, just like you can’t get your flu shot through Kaiser in a pharmacy. any.
Instead, Kaiser advised last year that its members get their updated COVID vaccine at a Kaiser facility. The fitness system’s website states that “when administered through Kaiser Permanente, COVID-19 vaccines are covered at no cost,” but that “most California members,” Medi-Cal members, will want to pay for the vaccine if they get it elsewhere. (KP. com also says that “you may be able to get a partial refund of the charge” through Kaiser if you do. )
This meant that in 2023, other people with fitness insurance through Kaiser had to wait longer to receive their new COVID vaccine than other people with other types of insurance, unless they were willing to pay those significant prices up front. CVS, for example, charges $190. 99 for the new COVID vaccine “if CVS is not connected to your insurance plan. “
We will continue to update this consultant with data as we obtain it. Find a Kaiser store near you that may offer the new COVID vaccine when it’s available.
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