On September 11th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the authorization of updated COVID-19 vaccines. These updated monovalent vaccines better protect against the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant than previous vaccine formulations. On September 12th, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend the updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 6 months of age or older. In a same-day press release, the CDC stated, “COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna will be available later this week.”
The press release stressed that the updated vaccines are considered safe and effective. Additionally, most Americans will be able to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine for free. Most health insurance plans will cover the cost, and for those who do not have health insurance, a free vaccine is still available from federally qualified health centers (FQHC), health departments, pharmacies part of the CDC’s Bridge Access Program, and Vaccines for Children program providers (only for eligible children).
To read the full press release, visit: (https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/p0912-COVID-19-Vaccine.html).
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