Updated COVID Vaccine Approved: What To Know, How To Get One In NYC
The vaccines, which will be available soon, are designed to target recent COVID strains that have contributed to a summer surge nationwide.
Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, Patch Staff
Aug 27, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already recommended this fall’s shot for everyone age 6 months and older, as long as they have not been sick with the virus in the past three months, or had another COVID vaccine in the past two months. (Peggy Bayard/Patch)
Federal regulators(規制当局)have approved updated COVID-19 vaccines to better target recent strains (菌の株) of the virus that have contributed to a summer illness surge in New York City and around the country.
On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted (承認した)emergency use authorization(緊急時使用許可)for the latest mRNA vaccines, which have been reformulated (再調整された)to focus on a newer omicron variant known as KP.2, or FLiRT. The approval for this year's vaccine came a little earlier than in previous years, as most of the country is experiencing increased viral activity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already recommended this fall’s shot for everyone age 6 months and older. And though different omicron strains(菌株)such as KP.3.1.1 have also been spreading (and may become more common in the fall and winter), health officials said the variants are closely-related enough for the 2024-25 COVID vaccines to ensure cross-protection(交差防御).
When will the vaccines be available, and when should I get one?
Pfizer and Moderna are set to begin shipping millions of doses while a third U.S. manufacturer, Novavax, expects its modified vaccine version to be available a little later.
The vaccine should be available soon at local doctor's offices, along with major pharmacies around New York. CVS is offering appointments for the new vaccine now, and Walgreens has appointments available beginning Sept. 6.
"We encourage anyone to continue to check the vaccine finder(検索) or reach out to their providers and pharmacies to see when they will have vaccines available," the health department said.
Keep in mind that the federal government is not buying and distributing COVID vaccines any more, so theshots (注射)are no longer free of charge, though insurance carriers (保険会社)should cover most or all of the cost.