By Lily HA
From PHN Issue 55, Winter 2024
As of October 2023, there has been another surge in COVID-19 cases. Since data reporting to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is more limited than it was earlier in the pandemic, it’s harder to know the size of the surge. Still, cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have all increased since summer. When possible, wearing a mask, keeping physical distance between yourself and others, and getting tested if you feel sick or are around someone else who tests positive continue to be good ways to protect yourself and others.
New variants of the coronavirus continue to arise, as experts have expected. There are currently multiple sub-variants of the Omicron variant going around. So far, these new variants and sub-variants seem to have similar symptoms to and cause similarly severe disease as previous variants, although they are more transmissible (easier to get and pass on to other people).
The Food Drug Administration (FDA) approved updated versions of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax vaccines in September and October 2023. These new vaccines were designed around the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant, which first appeared in December 2022. These vaccines are available now and are expected to be effective against all the Omicron subvariants currently infecting people. The FDA has started calling this an “updated vaccine” rather than a “booster,” since it’s likely that there will be an updated version every year. Updated vaccines are needed because the virus is evolving and because our immunity to the virus after getting vaccinated decreases over time.
The CDC recommends people get an updated vaccine as soon as possible in order to protect against serious illness. It is safe to receive this vaccine at the same time as your annual flu shot, which may make it easier to stay up-todate on both vaccines in the future. No one version of the COVID vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax) is recommended over the others. If you recently had COVID-19, the CDC says you can consider waiting up to 3 months from infection to get vaccinated. If you recently had the previous version of the vaccine (called the bivalent vaccine), you should wait at least two months from your last vaccination date. If you haven’t been vaccinated before, you can start with the updated vaccine. You are considered “up to date” after one dose. If you have additional questions about the updated vaccine and how it applies to your situation, you can speak with a medical professional at your facility.
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