The news comes amid a rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, especially among older adults and babies.
This approval completes the trifecta of vaccines to protect against common viral infections this fall.
Heres what it’s crucial that you know.
Photo Illustration by Zack Angeline for Verywell Health; Getty Images
What Makes the New Vaccines Different?
The new boosters from Moderna and Pfizer are the third version of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Once providers get access to the new monovalent vaccines, the bivalent vaccines will no longer be available.
ACIP also recommended the new Novavax vaccine, though it hasnt yet been cleared by the FDA.
Who Is Eligible for the New Booster?
The Moderna and Pfizer boosters are now approved for people ages 6 months and older.
People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have the option of getting an additional dose this year.
If approved, the Novavax monovalent shot would be available to people ages 12 years and older.
The vaccine maker said people who previously got mRNA vaccines could get a Novavax booster.
When Should You Get It?
The vaccines will be distributed starting this week.
Where Can You Get Vaccinated and How Much Will It Cost?
Major pharmacies including Walgreens and CVS are already taking appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations.
Most people will still be able to get a vaccine free of charge.
Private insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid are required to cover it.
Will the Vaccines Protect Against New Variants?
Scientists have also been keeping their eye on the highly mutatedOmicron BA.2.86.
Early data also suggests that immune defenses bolstered by the monovalent vaccine can protect against BA.2.86.
How Safe and Effective Are the Vaccines?
Data on the XBB-containing vaccine is relatively nascent.
Moderna conducted a clinical trial in 101 patients to test how the monovalent vaccine compared to the bivalent vaccine.
Pfizer and Novavax each submitted preclinical data looking at vaccine-induced antibody levels in animals.
Does Everyone Really Need a Booster Shot?
Some experts are not convinced that most healthy people need repeat booster shots.
However, some panelists emphasized the importance of minimizing long COVID risk across age groups.
For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
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