New COVID Boosters Approved by FDA: Here’s When to Get Yours

There’s no denying the “summer surge” of COVID-19 cases. While we usually anticipate a rise in cases during the winter, a new COVID strain called KP.2 has emerged in many states in the past few months. To prepare for the expected “winter wave” of cases, the FDA recently approved two updated COVID vaccines for emergency use on Thursday. The new mRNA boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been specially designed to combat the KP.2 strain (an offshoot of the Omicron variant) and other potential strains we may encounter this winter. Both boosters will be available to the public in the coming weeks, and it is recommended that everyone aged 6 months and older receive the vaccine. Another vaccine from Novavax, which fights an earlier strain of the virus called JN.1, is also expected to receive FDA approval soon, according to the FDA. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, recommends getting the booster at the end of September or beginning of October for maximum protection throughout the winter. It is important to get vaccinated in order to prevent severe illness and protect yourself, your family, and your community.