CDC recommends updated COVID vaccines, offers free tests next month
Pharmacies and doctor’s offices should start receiving the latest COVID vaccines in the coming days. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
As the summer COVID-19 wave starts to wind down, federal officials said Friday that people should prepare for the fall and winter virus season by getting updated vaccines and ordering free home tests which will be available at the end of September.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spoke out one day after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration signed off on the updated COVID-19 shots, which should provide better protection against the latest variants circulating currently and in the coming months.
"CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID vaccine and the updated flu vaccine," Cohen said during an online news briefing on Friday. "We need to continue to protect ourselves and our loved ones ... The best plan going into this winter is for everyone to remain vigilant."
Officials also urged RSV shots for those over the age of 75, and certain categories of pregnant women and children, if they didn't receive them last year.
Pharmacies and doctor’s offices should start receiving the latest COVID vaccines in the coming days. Cohen, who grew up in Baldwin, said people should make plans to get the shot in September or October.
Rite Aid and CVS said those eligible should check online and make appointments when vaccines become available.
CVS said once it receives the vaccines "within the next few days," it will start to accept walk-in appointments. Rite Aid said it is "working with suppliers to confirm shipment to our stores."
People over 65, those with compromised immune systems and certain health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions are most vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19.
"There is no group without risk," Cohen said, adding that 80% of adults in the country have some sort of underlying conditions that could put them at some sort of increased risk.
She also said children under the age of 5 were the most likely to go to an emergency room during the summer COVID-19 wave.
Cohen said the agency will spend an additional $62 million for state and local vaccine programs to improve access to the underinsured and uninsured.
When asked if COVID-19 has become endemic, similar to the flu, Cohen responded: "It is here with us."
Forecasters at the CDC believe this upcoming respiratory virus system will be similar to last year, or possibly improved, depending on whether people get vaccinated.
The interest in last year’s updated vaccine was low — just 22.5% of adults and 14.4% of children 17 years of age or younger received it between Sept. 14, 2023 and May 11, 2024.
For the first time, officials said they are seeing indications that the wave of COVID-19 cases across the U.S. is slowing down.
"About 24 states in the country are showing growth still while other areas seem to be plateauing or decreasing," said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC.
According to data on the CDC site, New York State's epidemic status as of Aug. 16 was not growing or declining but labeled "stable or uncertain."
"We’re not out of the woods yet," Daskalakis said. "We're tracking all of the indicators really closely ... but I think we are potentially seeing some indication of a plateauing of the summer increase in COVID-19."
On Long Island, COVID hospitalizations hit 234 on July 23, and have been near that level or lower since then. On Thursday there were 180 COVID hospitalizations, according to state data.
Health officials said it’s also vital for people to get their flu vaccines in time for the respiratory virus season. They also urged RSV shots for people who didn't receive them last year.
Another round of free COVID-19 home tests will be available at the end of September, said Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Department of Health and Human Services. Each household will be able to order up to four tests for free through COVIDtests.gov.
HHS also announced the start of a new national campaign "Risk Less. Do More." to emphasize the importance of flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines for older adults, their caregivers and health care providers.
Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.
