GREENSBORO, N.C. — Right now COVID is back in the news in two big ways. First, President Joe Biden is at home in Delaware with COVID and there's a new variant called the FliRT variant. Doctors say it's spreading across the country and causing COVID numbers to rise again. Some people have seen both of these stories and wondered: is it time to get another COVID booster shot?
About three weeks ago, the CDC approved an updated COVID vaccine for 2024-2025. It will roll out this fall. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get the updated shot even if you have never been vaccinated for COVID before now. But again, this is a shot that's still being rolled out. Two triad pharmacists tell 2 Wants To Know they probably won't have the new version in until the end of August or start of September, so doctors say most people will want to wait until then for a booster.
“Our top recommendation for protecting yourself and your loved ones from respiratory illness is to get vaccinated,” said CDC Director Mandy Cohen in the online news release. “Make a plan now for you and your family to get both updated flu and COVID vaccines this fall, ahead of the respiratory virus season.”
There are three expectations where it might be better to get the booster now: if you've never gotten a COVID vaccine before, if you're over 65 or if you have autoimmune issues. People in those groups should talk with their doctor to determine the best course of action.
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