This story has been updated.
September 12, 2023 – New COVID-19 vaccines that focus on newer variants of the virus will arrive in doctor's offices, pharmacies and clinics this week after the CDC gave the brand new formula final approval today.
Early Tuesday, a CDC advisory committee of doctors and nurses voted 13-1 to recommend an updated COVID-19 vaccine that targets newer versions of the virus to all Americans 6 months and older. CDC Director Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, followed a number of hours later and allowed the vaccinations to be administered. Vaccine makers Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech have said they’re able to make the shots available.
“We have more tools than ever before to prevent the worst consequences of COVID-19,” Cohen said in a press release. “CDC now recommends updated COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months and older to better protect you and your loved ones.”
Reports of a mutating virus and COVID hospitalizations of about 17,000 people per week within the United States led to a 13-1 committee vote, in response to the Health and Human Services Agency. CDC motion would require Medicaid, Medicare and personal insurance firms to cover the prices of to cover the vaccines without incurring any costs to patients.
On Monday, the FDA approved the updated Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines for people ages 6 months and older. In one notice Regarding the approval, the FDA stated that the new edition of the vaccination higher targets the currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, and “provides better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospital stays. and death.”
Tuesday's CDC decision discontinues the bivalent vaccine approved last fall. Nearly 153 million doses of this version of the vaccine have been administered within the U.S., and now vaccination rates are declining. This concern was raised on the meeting as forecasts show hospitalizations are expected to rise again this 12 months.
“I am amazed at the number of people who are not vaccinated,” said Dr. Camille Nelson Kotton, committee member from the Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, on the meeting. “We need a universal recommendation to give people clarity. Let’s keep America strong and healthy and get rid of COVID,” she said before casting her vote.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices discussed current variants and viral lineages, vaccine effectiveness, an “economic analysis of COVID-19 vaccination,” safety and a program that gives free vaccines to people without insurance or the underinsured. There will even be a public comment period, in response to the meeting agenda.
Against the choice was Dr. Pablo Sanchez from Ohio State University Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus. In the one vote against universal vaccination requirements, Sanchez expressed his preference for focusing vaccination efforts on probably the most vulnerable groups of the elderly, immunocompromised and pregnant people. “I'm not against the vaccines,” he said, “but I'm not in favor of a universal mandate this time and I would prefer we wait for more data.”