New COVID-19 vaccines hit drugstores
Bay Area pharmacies and health care providers are offering appointments for the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine, which received federal authorization this week.
Walgreens and CVS have opened appointment scheduling for the initial vaccine doses, with all locations expected to be fully stocked by next week. Bay Area health departments anticipate receiving vaccine shipments for county-run clinics by the end of the week.
The recently authorized COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are accessible to individuals 6 months and older, regardless of their vaccination status. It is safe to receive these mRNA shots at the same time as flu and RSV vaccinations.
“The new COVID-19 vaccines provide the best available protection against severe disease caused by current variants and will be an essential tool to help San Franciscans stay healthy,” said Dr. Susan Philip, San Francisco’s health officer, in a statement.
Walgreens offers appointment bookings via its website or by calling 1800-WALGREENS, while CVS offers online scheduling through its website or app, with select locations accommodating walk-in appointments.
The new vaccine is not classified as a booster but a reformulated shot designed to better target coronavirus strains currently in circulation. It specifically targets the omicron variant XBB.1.5, which drove a majority of infections earlier this year. Although the variant has waned in prevalence, the vaccine provides significant cross-protection against newer variants such as EG.5 and BA.2.86, primarily guarding against severe COVID-19 cases.
“Staying up to date on the COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to keep your immunity strong and protect yourself and others from severe illness, hospitalization and death,” said Dr. Tomás Aragón, director of the California Department of Public Health, in a statement.
The San Francisco Department of Health advises individuals to seek vaccinations from their primary care providers, as federal government coverage for COVID-19 vaccines has ended. However, community sites will offer free vaccinations to those without insurance or limited coverage.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Bridge Access Program will also provide limited quantities of COVID-19 vaccines to uninsured and underinsured adults until December 2024. Commercially available shots cost between $115 and $130 per dose.
Site details are available on the government’s website, www.vaccines.gov. California residents can schedule appointments through myturn.ca.gov.
Federal officials anticipate incorporating COVID-19 vaccinations into routine health care practices, akin to annual flu vaccinations.
Additional doses may be recommended for younger children and high-risk individuals based on their vaccination and infection history, but for most individuals, an annual COVID-19 shot is recommended.
Those who recently had the coronavirus may choose to wait three months after testing negative to get the updated shot, according to the CDC, but that is not a requirement. Those who recently received the older bivalent booster should wait two months after their most recent dose.
COVID-19 hospitalizations have been on the rise since late summer, and immunity conferred by vaccination or prior infection diminishes over time. Approximately 21% of Californians are up to date with their vaccinations.
There is also emerging evidence suggesting that vaccination may reduce the risk of long COVID, which can persist for months or even years after an acute infection.
“COVID-19 burden is currently lower than previous points in the pandemic. However, the absolute number of hospitalizations and deaths is still high,” said Megan Wallace, an epidemiologist at the CDC. “Children and adults with no underlying medical conditions still experience severe illness due to COVID-19.”