The Food and Drug Administration approved and granted emergency use authorization for the most recent, updated version of the COVID-19 vaccineThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supported the brand new shot to guard against serious illnesses.
The Summer wave of COVID-19 cases 2024 is an excellent reminder why people have to keep their vaccinations up up to now.
With the onset of the autumn and winter seasons, the same old seasonal respiratory viruses appear, including Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus or RSVwill even increase. There at the moment are vaccines that protect against these viruses.
The conversation asked Epidemiologist Annette Regan to elucidate why authorities are recommending that folks get these vaccinations in the approaching months.
Which strain is the brand new COVID-19 vaccine based on and why?
The COVID-19 vaccine has been updated several times for the reason that first vaccination in 2020-21 to maintain pace with changes within the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
In September 2023, the CDC advisable that everybody get the newly updated vaccine, which was developed to guard against XBB.1.5the variant that was prevalent within the United States this summer, no matter whether or not they had received all advisable vaccinations previously.
Now, in August 2024, the XBB.1.5 variant is not any longer available and has been replaced by the KP.2 and KP.3 variantsthat make up greater than 60% of the currently detected variants.
Moderna and Pfizer have each developed updated formulations of the COVID-19 vaccine that focus on this latest KP.2 variant. It is a monovalent vaccine, meaning it incorporates only the KP.2 strain.
This strain was chosen since it was essentially the most prevalent variant on the time of selection. Even if latest variants comparable to KP.3 emerge, we researchers expect the updated vaccine to guard against the newer strains. For example, the 2023-24 vaccine was developed against the XBB.1.5 strain, and studies showed that it continued protection against the JN.1 variant that got here to light later.
The CDC recommends a Single shot for everybody 6 months and older, with some exceptions. Children ages 6 months to 4 years who haven’t yet received a COVID-19 vaccine will need two or three more doses of the updated 2024-25 vaccine. Adults 65 years and older and youngsters and adults with certain health conditions might have a additional recording in addition to.
People who’ve recently had a SARS-CoV-2 infection may consider: delay their shot for 3 months after the illness, as the chance of re-infection during these months is taken into account low.
How did the updated 2023 vaccine perform?
Recent studies have shown that folks who received the vaccine in 2023-24 had a 54% lower risk of symptomatic COVID-19 disease39 to 51 percent less likely Visit an emergency room or emergency care facility with COVID-19and 50 to 53% less likely with COVID-19 in hospital in comparison with unvaccinated people.
The vaccine was best in individuals who had been vaccinated more recently.
What is the most effective time to take the photos?
COVID-19 Hospital stays And Deaths The number of latest infections has been rising since May 2024, with the very best rates amongst adults 65 and older and infants under 6 months of age, so health experts recommend that folks get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible to guard themselves from severe disease.
Since infants under 6 months usually are not sufficiently old to be vaccinated directly, COVID-19 vaccination while pregnant is the best technique to protect these babies.
When it involves the flu, Cases And Hospital stays appear to rise sharply between November and December. However, in some years, comparable to in Flu season 2022–23They start as early as October.
It's necessary to do not forget that vaccines don't provide immediate protection. It takes your body about two weeks to supply enough antibodies to offer protection. September or early October is an excellent time to get your flu shot to make sure you're protected in time. However, in the event you can't get vaccinated before November, it's necessary to know that it's still an excellent idea to get vaccinated while the flu is circulating.
Is it OK to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu at the identical time?
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu at the identical time will definitely make it easier to maintain up with the advisable vaccinations. Data shows that vaccination The combination of flu vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination is protected And effective.
Some vaccine manufacturers are working on Development of a combined influenza/COVID-19 vaccine to scale back the variety of vaccinations required. This vaccine has yet to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration, but may very well be available soon.
Who should receive the RSV vaccine and when?
RSV is one other common respiratory virus that may cause severe illness in young children and older adults. There are two groups of people that should receive one in every of the three currently available RSV vaccines: adults aged 60 and over and pregnant women. CDC recommends a single dose of either AREXVY from GSK, mRESVIA from Moderna, or ABRYSVO from Pfizer for all adults aged 75 years and over and adults aged 60 to 74 years who’re at increased risk of severe RSV disease.
Unlike COVID-19 and flu vaccines, additional RSV doses usually are not currently advisable because research suggests the vaccine provides protection for not less than two RSV seasonsHowever, these vaccines are relatively latest and more data is required to see how long this protection actually lasts. Additional doses could also be advisable in the longer term.
The CDC recommends only the Pfizer vaccine for ladies 32 to 36 weeks pregnant between September and January. The Pfizer vaccine is the one RSV vaccine that licensed and approved to be used while pregnant.
These vaccines are different from the antibody that will be given to infants at or after birth, called Beyfortus (nirsevimab). The CDC recommends one dose of Nirsevimab for infants younger than 8 months of age who were born during or shortly before their first RSV season. For some children aged 8 to 19 months who’re at increased risk for severe RSV disease, a dose of nirsevimab can also be advisable during their second RSV season.
Both the RSV vaccine and nirsevimab offer protected and effective options for stopping RSV in young children.
Pregnant women should seek the advice of their doctor about which option is best for them.
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