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COVID boosters are still weeks away as cases surge in the U.S. (www.axios.com)

submitted 2 years ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world

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As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations creep up during a summer wave of heightened virus activity, updated vaccines are still likely weeks away.

Why it matters:

Americans have largely tuned out COVID, but the latest COVID uptick is a reminder that the virus continues to circulate and mutate — though the threat is far below pandemic-era levels.
Health officials face a challenge convincing a pandemic-fatigued public to get an updated COVID shot, as vaccine uptake has declined with each successive booster.

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[-] inclementimmigrant@lemmy.world 57 points 2 years ago

Honestly, the HHS needs to stop referring to this as a pandemic and call it an endemic and treat this like a flu and get a cadence going for biannual boosters and reminders of covid and flu seasons.

Like our or not but most scientists seem to agree that this sucker is going to be endemic and the faster we move to that reality, the better.

[-] baked_tea@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago

Bold of you to assume everyone will accept the reality

[-] PP_BOY_@lemmy.world 19 points 2 years ago

Antivaxxers have literally been saying "itS nO worse tHaN the FLu!!" since day 1. If anything, they should be even more receptive to the idea.

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago

You know they constantly move the goalposts.

There is no point in catering to crazy people.

[-] lagomorphlecture@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago

We don't get flu shots biannually though, is there a reason to do COVID boosters that way? I was under the impression we need them annually, or is that just because of the quick evolution of new variants?

[-] lettruthout@lemmy.world 27 points 2 years ago

"The updated COVID shots from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax are expected to become available in the third or fourth week of September, according to the most recent guidance from CDC director Mandy Cohen."

[-] ComfortablyGlum@sh.itjust.works 10 points 2 years ago

They say that, but it likely won't be widely available till early October.

[-] Mewtwo@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 2 years ago

I have a large gathering beginning October and a trip in December. Guess I'll be taking the currently available booster.

[-] TheDarkKnight@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

Seems like these things should be coordinated with kids going back to school every year but idk, not a medical professional.

[-] athos77@kbin.social 5 points 2 years ago

It would complicate the messaging, but I'd like it if school kids got it in September to tamp down the natural wave caused by them spreading it throughout the community; and adults got it in October to protect them through most of the winter.

[-] mesamunefire@lemmy.world 22 points 2 years ago

How do you get the booster without insurance? My old company threw us under the buss after the stole our 401ks.

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago

COVID vaccines are free whether or not you have insurance.

The only difference is that if you don't have insurance, the government covers the cost.

[-] lagomorphlecture@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago

Is this outdated? Because it used to be true but I had to pay for my sister's last shot. Or...we got flu shots at the same time maybe that's what I paid for?

[-] Kage520@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

Probably the flu shot. As far as I know no one pays for covid shots yet.

[-] lagomorphlecture@lemm.ee 7 points 2 years ago

You go to a pharmacy and ask for a shot and pay cash. Fuck you for getting screwed over, ya know?

[-] IronSage@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 years ago

How can a company steal your 401? It's already paid out to you

[-] elscallr@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago

It can't. It can avoid paying an unvested match, but that's it. That person might be confusing a 401K for a pension, but even pensions are pretty well protected.

[-] Lev_Astov@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago

In my county all COVID vaccines and boosters are free to residents and in most regions around me I know there are programs to get them for free if you can't afford them. I'm sure it's not that way everywhere, though, but it's certainly worth calling around and asking about.

[-] pdxfed@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

Just be rich and pay cash.

Seriously though, almost any vaccine distribution site was mandated to provide the shot to those without insurance including Walgreens, rite aid, etc., then the bill is sent to feds.

[-] gornar@lemmy.world 11 points 2 years ago

But covid hasn't tuned out Americans!

[-] Bipta@kbin.social 4 points 2 years ago

There's little reason to believe the new shots will be highly protective against BA.2.86, so we'd better hope it gets outcompeted.

[-] athos77@kbin.social 6 points 2 years ago

First, it's a sub-variant of omicron, so the new shots should provide some protection against it.

Secondly, per the CDC, as of yesterday:

At least two cases have been identified in the United States. [...] It is also important to note that the current increase in hospitalizations in the United States is not likely driven by the BA.2.86 variant. This assessment may change as additional data become available.

[-] dethb0y@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

That's my thought as well, these shots are not going to be tuned for the variants we face today but the variants we faced months ago.

this post was submitted on 25 Aug 2023

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