There are new vaccine recommendations for the fall. Here’s what you need to know.
It’s time to start thinking about fall vaccines, and,federal health officials are preparing for the next surge.
A new COVID variant, BA.2.86, is being monitored by health officials around the globe because of its potential to evade the immunity most Americans have built up over the last few years.
It’s too soon to know how this virus will act in a real-world environment.
But in order to prevent a repeat of last winter’s “tripledemic,” officials have written new vaccine recommendations for this upcoming fall.
Here’s what you need to know:
What vaccines should I get?
- This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will recommend two vaccines for most Americans: the annual flu shot and an improved COVID-19 shot.
- This October, health care providers will begin offering reformulated COVID boosters, which are designed to target the original COVID strain and XBB — an Omicron subvariant that circulated this summer. It currently makes up the vast majority of cases in the Southeast. Most North Carolinians will qualify for this shot. Even though these vaccines aren’t tailored for BA.2.86, they are still likely to be helpful protecting people from it.
- The RSV vaccine is additionally recommended for most people older than 60.
Do I need an RSV vaccine?
- This year, federal regulators approved two RSV vaccines, which have been shown to be safe and effective in older adults who have weakened immune systems.
- Though RSV is typically thought of as a devastating illness for young children, the virus kills more older adults every year than infants, said Dr. Cameron Wolfe, a Duke infectious disease expert
- It’s a good idea to talk with your primary care provider to decide whether you would benefit from an RSV vaccine, Wolfe said. While it could be valuable for someone with several additional health conditions, it might not be the right decision for someone who is active and in good health.
- Even healthy older adults may want to consider getting vaccinated if they frequently come in contact with young family members.
- It is not yet clear how well this vaccine works in people who take medications that suppress immune systems.
When should I get the vaccines?
- If the viruses behave normally, Wolfe said, the best time to get these vaccines is usually sometime in September or early October to give your body several weeks to build up its immune defenses. He said you’ve usually missed the boat if the virus is already circulating in the community.
- So far, data from the Southern Hemisphere suggests that we’ll have a “routine” flu season in the United States, Wolfe said. This is unlike last flu season, which began unseasonably early.
- Research shows that the flu and COVID shot can be safely administered at the same time. Doctors may choose to wait a few weeks before giving the RSV vaccine, Wolfe said.
Teddy Rosenbluth covers science and health care for The News & Observer in a position funded by Duke Health and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work.
This story was originally published July 10, 2023 at 5:30 AM with the headline "There are new vaccine recommendations for the fall. Here’s what you need to know.."
