Here's Why Doctors Say *Almost* Everyone Should Get The New COVID Booster
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Now that most of the country has done away with masking and social distancing, it’s probably been a minute since you’ve thought much about COVID-19.
After all, cases dropped across the country over the summer, allowing you to focus more on things like hitting the beach vs. worrying about your infection risk.
But now that the weather is cooling off and COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are rising again, it’s understandable to have the virus at least in the back of your mind again.
Couple that with the fact that there are some new COVID variants in the mix, talk of another "tripledemic," and a new updated vaccine, and you probably have questions.
Meet the expert: Thomas Russo, M.D., is a professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in New York.
So, what’s the deal with the new COVID variants and the booster? Here’s what you need to know, according to an infectious disease doctor.
What are the new COVID variants?
There are actually a bunch of COVID variants circulating out there right now, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
EG.5, aka “Eris,” became the most common variant in the country in the middle of the summer. Eris is dubbed by some experts as the "grandchild" of Omicron, one of the most highly infectious COVID-19 variants. Eris currently accounts for nearly 25 percent of COVID-19 infections across the United States, according to the CDC. The variant’s spread is calculated with a degree of uncertainty, though, due to the rapid increase of infections. But this is a close estimate.
Another variant that’s getting plenty of buzz is BA.2.86, which has been dubbed “Pirola.” There hasn't been a ton of cases of this variant, but it's popped up across the world. The CDC says it’s “gathering information” on it and the World Health Organization (WHO) has added it to the organization’s list of “currently circulating variants under monitoring.”
Will the new COVID-19 boosters protect against the new variants?
It seems that way. There are two new updated shots that have been released for public use this fall: One from Moderna and another from Pfizer, and both target the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant.
“We don’t have a huge body of data on this right now, but there’s been some data released from both companies that show there’s been a significant increase in neutralizing antibodies against EG.5 and BA.2.86—those variants have been of concern,” says Thomas Russo, M.D., a professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in New York.
How is this new COVID booster different from previous vaccines?
The new boosters are monovalent, which means that they target one strain of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19. The previous vaccine was bivalent—it targeted several strains, Dr. Russo explains.
How well does the new COVID booster work?
It's pretty effective. “This updated shot is better matched for the circulating variants than some of the earlier shots,” Dr. Russo says.
Boosters have been shown to strongly protect people against severe COVID and death, according to the CDC, and more modestly prevent infection, per a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. They can have a dramatic impact on those most likely to die from COVID, such as older adults and immunocompromised people.
Dr. Russo recommends thinking of COVID boosters like the annual flu vaccine. Scientists update it each year to try to match what they predict will be the most common variants in the season ahead. “It looks like it will be a good match,” he says.
Worth noting: Since there’s no clinical data for these updated vaccines yet, so scientists can't give an exact percentage effectiveness against the virus, Dr. Russo adds.
What is the new COVID booster called?
The names of the updated vaccines are the same as they were before. Pfizer has Comirnaty and Moderna has Spikevax. This year's version is simply called the “2023-2024 formula.”
When will it be available?
Very soon. The FDA has either approved or authorized the vaccines in select age groups. And the CDC has signed off on them, too, so they’re technically good to go.
“Many major pharmacies are now booking appointments for these,” Dr. Russo says.
Who should get the new COVID booster?
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the updated shot.
However, if you received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past few weeks, Dr. Russo says it’s a good idea to wait until you pass the two-month mark.
When should I get the booster?
If you’re considered high risk—meaning you have certain underlying health conditions or you’re immune compromised)—Dr. Russo says it’s a good idea to get your shot ASAP.
“Everyone should try to get it in the coming weeks,” he says. “Cases of COVID are increasing—it would be beneficial to have this added protection onboard.” If you want a more concrete timeline, he recommends getting your updated vaccine by Halloween.
What are the side effects?
Side effects of the updated vaccines are similar to what they were in the past, Dr. Russo says. Those can include:
Pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site
Fatigue
Headache
Chills
Muscle pain
Joint pain
Fever
Can I get the COVID booster at the same time as my flu shot?
“If you just want to get it over and done with, that’s fine,” Dr. Russo says. “However, if you have the luxury of time and don’t mind separating them, you might want to space them out by a week or two so you don’t get a double whammy of potential side effects.”
Dr. Russo says that’s particularly a good idea if you’ve experienced side effects of either vaccine in the past.
How much does it cost?
If you have health insurance, the CDC says that the vaccine should be fully covered.
Don’t have health insurance? The CDC recommends going to your local health center or pharmacies that participate in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program for a free vaccine.
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