NEW YORK – As flu season approaches, and on top of that, a new variant of COVID-19 threatening our health, it is of utmost importance to know where we can go to get a vaccine.
What you should know:
On September 12, the CDC approved the booster vaccine to combat the new variant of COVID-19, this one day after being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The new vaccines They seek to combat the rise in cases due to the Ómicron XBB.1.5. variant, this as the influenza season begins. Below we will tell you about the new vaccines and where you can go to get the booster and get vaccinated against influenza.
The states of the tri-state area, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, provide their residents with portals in their internet accounts to locate pharmacies and immune centers that offer updated boosters of the covid and influenza vaccine.
Click on your state and include your city, county or zip code to find a vaccination center near you:
ABOUT THE NEW VACCINES
In early September, the CDC gave the green light to the boosters one day after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did so. These latest booster deliveries are designed to target the COVID-19 subvariant, Ómicron XBB.1.5.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
The CDC has recommended that patients 6 months of age and older receive an updated COVID-19 booster vaccine.
CDC recommendations also indicated that people younger than 6 years old, or those with weakened immune systems, may need multiple booster shots, but should do so after consulting with a doctor.
The FDA recommendations mirror the CDC’s statements this week.
WHAT’S NEW IN THIS BOOSTER VACCINE?
According to the CDC and FDA, the COVID-19 formulation that major vaccine manufacturers will release will be “monovalent,” meaning they are specifically designed to target the descendants of the XBB.1.5 COVID variant.
That variant, itself a descendant of Omicron, has already spawned multiple new subvariants, including EG.5 and FL.1.5.1, and both the FDA and CDC believe the new vaccine will effectively target those strains as they begin to spread. in the United States population.
According to the CDC, more than 90% of COVID viruses currently circulating are closely related to the XBB.1.5 strain.
WILL WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE NEW INJECTIONS?
According to officials, since the federal national emergency over COVID-19 ended, the cost of vaccines will not be covered by the government.
Both Pfizer and Moderna have said they are pricing vaccine doses at more than $100, but officials say the shots will remain free for most Americans who are covered by private insurance or Medicare.
For those who are not insured, the CDC says it is working with health departments, clinics and pharmacies to provide temporarily free vaccines at this time.
WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THEM?
Those who have not received a booster dose since last fall and who have not had a recent COVID-19 infection should receive the new booster vaccines as soon as possible, experts say.
Those who are not vaccinated can also receive the booster without first completing the primary multiple-dose series, according to the new FDA guidance.
According to officials, those who have recently had COVID-19 can wait approximately 90 days to maximize the effectiveness of the new booster.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?
According to the CDC and FDA, the side effects of the booster shots are similar to those of previous versions of the vaccine. They include headache, chills, fever, nausea, and pain or swelling at the injection site.
WHAT ARE THE DOMINANT VARIANTS OF THE VIRUS?
There are currently numerous branches of Omicron in circulation, with EG.5 being the most prevalent, responsible for approximately 21.5% of COVID-19 infections in the US.
FL.1.5.1 is close behind, and several XBB variants are also becoming widespread in recent weeks.
Our colleagues at Telemundo Chicago contributed to this article.
2023-09-28 00:00:02
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