Upcoming Covid booster shots are poised to be introduced as early as next Wednesday. These boosters have shown efficacy against new variants, and their approval is expected from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director, Mandy Cohen, on September 13. While it remains unclear who will be eligible for these updated vaccines, the White House previously indicated their availability for all age groups.
Current Booster Uptake Despite the expansion of the two-dose regimen to include boosters, only 17 percent of Americans have received a single updated booster. Vaccine hesitancy and the perception that middle-aged adults with robust immune systems do not require additional shots have contributed to the slow uptake.
Updated Booster Details The forthcoming boosters are mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna. They target the XBB.1.5, or ‘Kraken,’ variant, which dominated the U.S. during the summer. Early results suggest that Moderna’s shot may also be effective against BA.2.86, or ‘Pirola,’ another concerning variant. Tests have already confirmed the effectiveness of the shots against EG.5, or ‘Eris,’ the current dominant strain in the U.S.
Authorization and Distribution The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing the vaccines and is expected to grant authorization within the next seven days. An independent panel of CDC advisors will convene on September 12 to determine the eligible recipients. CDC Director approval could follow as early as September 13, making the boosters available nationwide. Most Americans will have access to these booster shots through their health insurance at no cost.
Vaccination Challenges and Variants Vaccine uptake in the U.S. has faced obstacles, including anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and doubts about the necessity of additional shots for healthy middle-aged adults. While experts recommend the updated Covid vaccine for older adults, there is limited evidence of benefits for middle-aged and younger individuals, as immunity wanes more slowly in these groups.
Immunity and Variants Approximately 97 percent of Americans are believed to have some level of protection against Covid through vaccinations or prior infections. Although this does not guarantee immunity from infection, it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness. Concerns about new variants prompted some areas to reinstate mask mandates.
Current Covid Trends Covid hospitalizations in the U.S. have increased, with about 15,000 admissions during the week ending August 19, marking an 18 percent rise from the previous week. However, this figure remains below levels seen earlier in the year when there were 44,000 weekly admissions in January. Deaths have also risen, with 616 recorded during the week ending August 5, a 20 percent increase from the previous week. Nevertheless, these figures are substantially lower than those reported earlier in the year.
