**Upcoming COVID Vaccine Shots**
The citizens of the United States may be able to avail the latest COVID-19 vaccines as early as Wednesday. The vaccines are the final addition to a series of immunizations designed to ward off respiratory infections during the fall and winter seasons. According to the Food and Drug Administration on Monday, the updated COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna have been authorized. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s scientific advisory committee is due to convene on Tuesday to scrutinize the data and issue more specific guidelines about the vaccine recipients and the timeline.
“I anticipate they will endorse it for all,” stated Dr. Ashish Jha, the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, who had served as the White House’s COVID-19 czar until June. He suggested that large pharmacies are likely to stock the vaccines later this week, once Dr. Mandy Cohen, the new CDC director, approves the recommendations.
**Rising Demand for Vaccines**
For many Americans, the vaccines are a desperate need. The number of hospital admissions and deaths related to COVID-19 have been climbing steadily since July. However, these numbers are still quite low compared with the same period in previous years. On the other hand, many individuals perceive COVID-19 as a mild threat only. Less than half of adults aged over 65, and approximately one in five American adults overall, have chosen to receive the bivalent booster shot offered last fall.
Vaccines against flu and the respiratory syncytial virus are already accessible. The flu vaccine is advised for everyone aged six months and above, and the R.S.V. vaccine for everyone aged 60 and above, after consulting with a healthcare provider. Experts recommend that the most vulnerable groups, including older adults, immunocompromised people, and pregnant women, should receive both the COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
**Concerns and Benefits of Vaccines**
The CDC’s advisers will need to decide whether to recommend the new COVID vaccines for younger people who have accumulated strong immunity through previous vaccinations or infections. In Britain, the new COVID vaccines are being offered only to high-risk groups, including older adults, those with chronic medical conditions, and frontline workers. This decision was made due to the high cost to the British government of offering the shots to everyone, Dr. Jha said.
However, as with the flu vaccine, the greatest advantage of COVID immunization may be for those at the highest risk. Additionally, the shots may aid those with reduced risk to recover sooner after an infection or miss fewer days of work, Dr. Jha said. Furthermore, the vaccines will be available for free to most Americans via private insurers and through a new federal program for uninsured people.
Original Story at www.nytimes.com – 2023-09-12 14:15:11
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