FDA Approves Newest Round of Covid-19 Boosters

The Food and Drug Administration approved a new round of Covid boosters as the number of cases and hospitalizations rise in the United States. The vaccine will roll out alongside the seasonal flu vaccine in order to protect people from potentially lethal respiratory viruses. F.D.A’s top vaccine expert, Dr. Peter Marks, says “Vaccination remains critical to public health and continued protection against serious consequences of Covid-19, including hospitalization and death.”

According to the New York Times, the FDA granted full approval for the new formulas for people who are 12 and older and authorized them to protect infants six months and older through age 11. The CDC is leaning toward a broad recommendation that will apply to all ages, but it is possible they will push for those at the greatest risk to receive the vaccine first. People over the age of 65 and people with weakened immune systems are considered to be the greatest risk. Health and social care workers will also be included in the first roll out.

If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signs off Tuesday, injections could be available in pharmacies, clinics and doctor’s offices by the end of the week, says the Washington Post.

This round of vaccines is different than in the previous years. In previous years, the U.S. government bought hundreds of millions of vaccine doses and distributed them for free.

The prices are expected to be significantly more than the U.S. government paid with Moderna stating it would price its vaccine at $130 a dose and Pfizer considering a similar price. Many people with health insurance will be able to get boosted without having to pay anything out of pocket. People without insurance should be able to get the shots-at a retail pharmacy and certain government sites-at no cost under a federal program, said the Wall Street Journal.