The long-awaited announcement from the FDA about the new annual COVID vaccine is here!
The New York Times (8/22, Mueller, Weiland) reports, “The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the latest slate of annual Covid vaccines, clearing the way for Americans 6 months and older to receive updated shots in the midst of a prolonged summer surge of the virus.” Pfizer and Moderna “are expected to begin shipping vaccines to pharmacies and doctors’ offices within days.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/22/health/covid-booster-vaccines.html?unlocked_article_code=1.FE4.s3TY.bGqbhAezrVDO&smid=url-share
The AP (8/22, Neergaard) reports the updated vaccines “target a subtype called KP.2 that was common earlier this year” and will provide cross-protection for additional offshoots such as the currently spreading KP.3.1.1. Meanwhile, a third vaccine manufacturer, “Novavax, expects its modified vaccine version to be available” later.
https://apnews.com/article/covid19-vaccines-virus-pfizer-moderna-fb542f97096e9759059c0bdd82a48a74
So, when should you get your COVID shot? As you may have heard (or experienced firsthand), there was a summer surge just like last year, peaking in late June into July. In Olympia, it has been declining, likely until Sept; then, the fall surge will begin. [Note that Tacoma north to Seattle as well as Spokane and Yakima–one of the highest case rates–still have increasing rates of COVID-19 infections.] So, CDC recommends an updated COVID shot in the fall along with your flu shot before everyone goes indoors and more likely exposed to respiratory viruses from close contact with others.
People who recently had SARS-CoV-2 infection may consider delaying a COVID-19 vaccine dose by 3 months from symptom onset or positive test (if infection was asymptomatic). Also, moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals ages 6 and up may get additional updated COVID-19 vaccine doses 2 or more months after the last recommended COVID-19 vaccine.
The annual flu shot is typically given in Sept-Oct, with immunity ~2 wks after getting the shot. Some guidelines recommend people over 65yo get a flu shot in late-Aug, but the problem with that scenario is that immunity wanes before 5 mos, and the flu season usually starts in October, peaks in Nov-Dec, and may go until May depending on the year. If you do it too early (in late Aug), you may not be protected beyond late Jan/Feb for the remainder of the flu season. That's why I prefer late-Sept to mid-Oct as the ideal time for flu vax (plus COVID-19 shot) for most immunocompetent* individuals.
Here's a quick glance of the differences in symptoms between cold vs flu vs COVID-19:
 |
| Source: NIH National Institute on Aging: https://nia.nih.gov/flu |
Don't forget to protect yourself from the whooping cough (adult boosters every 10 years), with cases on the rise, according to the CDC. The New York Times (8/22, Blum) reports, “After a yearslong lull thanks to Covid-19 precautions like isolation and distancing, whooping cough cases are now climbing back to levels seen before the pandemic, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” Thus far this year, “there have been 10,865 cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, nationwide,” which is “more than triple the number of cases documented by this time last year.” Physicians “say these estimates are most likely an undercount, as many people may not realize they have whooping cough and therefore are never tested.” Experts also say the rise in cases could be due to delayed childhood vaccinations as a result of the pandemic.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/22/well/whooping-cough-symptoms-pertussis.html?unlocked_article_code=1.FE4.utd5.P9MNqXM9TXMV&smid=url-share
More info on whooping cough:
https://familydoctor.org/condition/whooping-cough/
To health!
* For immunocompromised individuals, you should check with your healthcare provider before receiving a vaccine. Here is an overview about vaccination for immunocompromised people: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-immunocompromised-get-vaccines.
DISCLAIMER: This general information is for educational purposes and not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional.
Posts
