The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, marking a significant update in the ongoing fight against the virus. These updated vaccines are specifically targeted toward currently circulating strains, with one report indicating a focus on the KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2, while another specifies they target the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant, showing increased neutralizing antibodies against other variants of concern like EG.5, known as “Eris,” and BA.2.86, dubbed “Pirola.” This is the third time the vaccines have been updated, emphasizing that vaccination remains the cornerstone of COVID-19 prevention.

The updated shots are monovalent, meaning they target a single strain of SARS-CoV-2, a shift from the previous bivalent vaccines that targeted multiple strains. According to Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, these vaccines meet rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality. Given the waning immunity within the population, the FDA strongly encourages eligible individuals to consider receiving an updated vaccine for better protection against current variants.

Leading experts, such as Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York, confirm that the most current COVID-19 vaccines are from Pfizer (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax), referred to as the “2023-2024 formula.” The Novavax vaccine is not yet ready. The FDA and CDC currently recommend that everyone aged 6 months and up receive the new vaccine. For timing, Dr. Russo advises high-risk individuals to get vaccinated as soon as possible, while those at low risk for serious complications should aim to receive the new vaccine by Halloween. Individuals who were infected during a recent COVID wave can likely wait three months from the time of infection before getting vaccinated.

Regarding availability, pharmacies are in the process of stocking the new vaccines. CVS, for instance, is removing previous vaccine inventory and awaiting new arrivals, while Walgreens is still in transition. Experts suggest it could take a week or so for the shots to be widely available at pharmacies. The FDA has approved or authorized the vaccines for select age groups, and the CDC has also signed off, making them technically ready for widespread distribution, with many major pharmacies already booking appointments.

The effectiveness of these new boosters is promising. Dr. Russo notes that this updated shot is better matched for the circulating variants than some earlier shots. Boosters have been shown to strongly protect people against severe COVID-19 and death, and more modestly prevent infection. They can have a dramatic impact on those most likely to die from COVID, such as older adults and immunocompromised individuals. Scientists update these vaccines annually, much like the flu vaccine, to match predicted common variants for the season ahead, and this year's version looks to be a good match. However, since clinical data for these specific updated vaccines is still emerging, an exact percentage effectiveness against the virus cannot yet be provided.

Cost remains a consideration for some. While most health insurance companies are expected to cover the vaccine, uninsured adults without Medicaid may need to pay out of pocket, as public health programs that previously covered adult vaccinations have concluded. Children, however, are typically covered through various pediatric vaccination programs. The CDC recommends that uninsured adults seek free vaccines through local health centers or pharmacies participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program.

Current COVID-19 symptoms for many otherwise healthy individuals are often cold-like, including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting. However, symptoms can be more severe for those in high-risk categories. Side effects from the updated vaccines are similar to past versions, commonly including pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain, joint pain, and fever. Individuals can receive the COVID-19 booster concurrently with their annual flu shot, though spacing them out by a week or two is an option to mitigate a potential "double whammy" of side effects, especially for those who have experienced strong reactions in the past. Dr. Russo emphasizes the continued presence of COVID-19, urging vaccination when possible.