FDA Approves New Covid Boosters as Cases Surge in the US
US authorities have granted approval for a new vaccine that offers protection against one of the most prevalent strains of the coronavirus. The retooled single-dose Covid “booster” shot is set to be available in pharmacies just as the cold and flu season is picking up. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized the emergency use of the new shots, following a recommendation from a panel of experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that nearly everyone in the US should receive the booster.
But how soon should people in the US rush to their local pharmacies for the new vaccine? And with many individuals already vaccinated or having had Covid, how urgent is it to obtain another dose? The latest recommendations from the agencies provide some clarity.
The FDA authorized updated versions of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines. As the virus continues to circulate, it mutates just like the influenza virus. To tackle this, pharmaceutical companies have developed a booster specifically targeting the widely circulating XBB.1.5 variant of Covid-19 for this season.
The CDC makes recommendations on who should receive the new booster shot when the FDA authorizes a new vaccine. In short, the agency suggests that everyone over the age of six months should receive the booster, with a few exceptions. Individuals who recently had Covid-19 can wait for three months before getting the updated booster, while those who were recently boosted should wait for two months. The agency’s expert panel stressed the importance of certain groups receiving the new shot.
“The most important are those at greatest risk for severe illness,” said Dr. Peter Hotez, a vaccinologist and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. The high-risk individuals include those above the age of 65, individuals with health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic lung or heart disease, and those who may be immune-compromised, such as individuals on immune suppressant medication and pregnant people.
Even though most people in the US might have some immunity to Covid-19 through prior infection or vaccination, the chances of contracting Covid again increase as new variants circulate and immunity from previous vaccines diminishes. The agencies hope that providing updated vaccines will help prevent severe illness, which could lead to hospitalization or death. Additionally, data shows that getting a Covid-19 vaccine can reduce the risk of experiencing long Covid symptoms. As a result, the CDC has recommended that a broad portion of the American public receive the shots.
Dr. Paul Offit, an expert in virology and immunology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a member of the FDA’s vaccine expert panel, disagrees with the CDC’s recommendation. He believes that the government should focus on the most vulnerable groups in society, particularly individuals over the age of 75, those with underlying health conditions, and the immune-compromised.
Most Americans will not have to pay for the new vaccine as health insurance will cover the cost of the booster dose. For the approximately 27 million Americans without health insurance, the federal Bridge Access Program will cover the cost of shots until 2024. The list price for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for those paying out-of-pocket is $120 and $129, respectively.
In conclusion, the authorization of new Covid boosters aims to address the increasing number of cases in the US and protect individuals from the widely circulating strains of the virus. While there may be disagreements among experts about the strategy and target populations, the ultimate goal is to prevent severe illness and minimize the impact of Covid-19 on public health.