Modern Covid-19 vaccine mRNA formula 2024-2025.
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It's that time again: A new round of Covid vaccinations is on its way to Americans.
The Food and Drug Administration last week approved updated mRNA-based vaccines from Pfizer And Modern amid a relatively large summer surge of the virus. Here's what you need to know, including how vaccines are different this time around, who's eligible, where to get a shot and more.
What makes these recordings different?
U.S. health officials have long advised patients to expect annual updates to their Covid vaccinations because the virus mutates into new strains that can evade immunity people have developed from previous vaccinations or infections. This is similar to the way in which new flu shots are introduced each year in the U.S.
This time, Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines target a strain called KP.2, a descendant of the highly contagious omicron subvariant JN.1 that was widespread in the United States earlier this year.
KP.2 was the dominant variant of the virus in May, but since August 17, it has accounted for only about 3% of all cases in the United States, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Still, both Pfizer and Moderna have said their new vaccines can elicit stronger immune responses against other circulating variants, such as KP.3, than last year's round of vaccines against the omicron strain XBB.1.5.
According to CDC data, KP.3 is responsible for nearly 17 percent of cases in the U.S., while a related strain called KP.3.1.1 is responsible for nearly 37 percent of cases.
“The good news so far is that the updated vaccine comes very close to targeting the increasingly dominant KP.3 family of viruses,” CDC Director Mandy Cohen told reporters during a briefing on Friday.
Who is eligible to participate?
The CDC recommends that everyone age 6 months and older receive a dose of the new Covid vaccine.
To maximize protection, people should wait at least two to three months since their last Covid vaccination or infection before getting one of the updated shots, Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, told NPR last week.
Health officials have also stressed the importance of high-risk individuals maintaining their Covid vaccinations. This includes people age 65 and older and those with weakened immune systems or serious medical conditions.
When will the recordings be available?
Following approval last week, both Pfizer and Moderna said they expected their new vaccines to be available in pharmacies, hospitals and clinics across the U.S. “in the coming days.”
Patients can now schedule vaccination appointments at Walgreens stores nationwide, according to a statement Thursday. Appointments for people ages 12 and older will be available starting Sept. 6, the company said.
CVS's online vaccination scheduler is now offering appointments as early as Wednesday. Rite-Aid's own scheduler shows appointments for early September.
The CDC plans to relaunch its vaccination appointment finder once vaccines are more widely available.
When should I get vaccinated?
The FDA's Marks told NPR that he will likely get vaccinated “as soon as possible” because the variant the updated shots target is “pretty close” to the strains currently circulating in the U.S.
However, he said some people might consider waiting until September or October if they want to maximize their vaccine protection during a possible Covid-19 surge in the winter and holiday season.
“Getting vaccinated sometime between September and early October seems like a pretty reasonable thing to do to maintain protection through December/January,” Marks told the outlet. “It doesn't suddenly stop. It's not like immunity suddenly stops after three or four months. It's just that immunity wanes over time.”
Can I get it for free?
Most private health insurers as well as the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs cover the cost of Covid vaccinations.
Children can also receive free vaccinations through a government-funded program called Vaccines for Children.
Meanwhile, the CDC's Bridge Access Program, which was supposed to provide free Covid vaccinations to underinsured and uninsured Americans, will not resume this year.
But the CDC has allocated $62 million in funding to state and local vaccination programs to cover the cost of Covid shots for uninsured and underinsured adults, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters during a briefing last week.
Can I get the Novavax vaccine?
Novavax has applied for approval of a new protein-based vaccine against JN.1. The company said its vaccine should provide protection against descendants of this strain, such as KP.2.3, KP.3, KP.3.1.1 and LB.1.
In a statement last week, Novavax said it was working “productively” with the FDA as the agency completes its review. Novavax expects its vaccine to be approved in time for peak U.S. vaccination season.
Feel free to send tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Annika at annikakim.constantino@nbcuni.com.
Latest in health technology: CNBC tests Dexcom's new CGM Stelo
Jaque Silva | SOPA images | Light rocket | Getty Images
Earlier this month, I started testing a new continuous glucose monitor from diabetes management company DexcomIt's called Stelo and is the company's first over-the-counter product.
A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a small sensor that is inserted through the skin and measures glucose levels in real time. Glucose is a type of sugar that humans get from carbohydrates, and it is the body's primary source of energy.
Everyone's glucose levels fluctuate, but high levels over time can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease. CGMs are usually prescribed to patients with diabetes so they can monitor their glucose levels and be notified in case of an emergency.
Stelo is primarily intended for adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin, although people without those conditions can get it. The device launched in the U.S. on Monday after being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March.
Users can buy a month's supply of Stelo online for $99 or sign up for a subscription for $89 a month. Patients can also use their flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts to pay for it, Dexcom said. Dexcom is partnering with Amazon to make Stelo deliveries.
I've been using the sensor for a few weeks and have learned a lot already. I think it's an easy product to try out and a great start to understanding your glucose data.
Once your sensors arrive at your home, everything you need is in the box. First, you attach the sensor to your arm and pair it with the Stelo app.
The app walks you through each step, so there's no need to be nervous. I cleaned the back of my right arm, placed the Dexcom applicator there, pressed the button, and the sensor immediately turned on. There's a small needle in the applicator, which can look a little disconcerting, but I didn't feel anything.
The CGM connects to the Stelo app via Bluetooth and then takes about half an hour to warm up.
The first time I did this step, I ran into some issues. After my device warmed up, I received an error message saying “Transient sensor issue.” It told me not to remove the CGM and that the issue would be resolved within up to three hours. I left it on for the rest of the day, but by the evening I noticed a little bleeding around the sensor.
I decided to take the CGM off, which you can do by peeling it off like a sticker. I tried again with a new sensor on my other arm, and that one warmed up and worked fine. I had no further issues with bleeding. If you encounter any problems while using Stelo, you can send a message using the chat feature on the website to ask questions or get a replacement if needed.
Overall, I found the sensor to be fairly easy to wear. It's waterproof and lasts for 15 days straight (a new record for Dexcom). It's gray, about the size of a quarter, and about half an inch thick. Although it did get caught occasionally when I put on long sleeves, I felt like I could wear anything over it. I didn't even notice it when I slept.
I also find the Stelo app's interface to be easy to use and I think Dexcom does a good job of presenting the data so that it doesn't seem overwhelming or confusing.
On the Stelo homepage, you'll see your most recent glucose reading, updated every 15 minutes. You'll also see a graph of your readings each day, which includes a green shaded area that indicates your “target range.” This is the range in which Dexcom recommends users maintain their glucose levels based on existing medical standards.
The tab next to the home page is the Events page, where you can log meals, activities, finger pricks (another way to check blood sugar), or other notes. You don't need to log every little detail of your day, but Jake Leach, chief operating officer at Dexcom, told me it's important to log when you experience a glucose spike.
Glucose spikes occur when the amount of sugar in the bloodstream rises quickly and then falls again. This often happens after eating. Stelo alerts you when you see a significant spike, and logging an entry can help you think about what might be causing it, Leach said.
If this is your first time using a CGM, I definitely recommend reading through the articles in the Learn tab of the app. They are short and help break down concepts like glucose, its effects, and why it matters.
In just a few weeks of using Stelo, I've learned a lot about how my body responds to food and activity. And now that the technology is available over the counter, I wouldn't be surprised if CGMs become the next big wearable technology device in the U.S.
Feel free to send tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Ashley at ashley.capoot@nbcuni.com.
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