September 14th, 2023 by WCBC Radio
The Centers for Disease Control have advised that everyone six months and older should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against potentially serious outcomes of the illness this fall and winter. The FDA approved and authorized the new shots from Moderna and Pfizer on Monday, amid an increase in COVID hospitalizations and concern about the spread of several new variants. The new shots are similar to previously approved formulas but were updated to target the XBB variants — strains of the virus descended from the original Omicron variant — which became dominant last winter. Newer strains have since emerged, though vaccine makers have announced early findings suggesting their shots will also work for the latest strains on the rise. The shots should be available later this week.