The US FDA gave the official thumbs up to the 2024-2025 updated COVID vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna that target the KP.2 variant of SARS-CoV-2 last week.
*NOVAVAX UPDATE*: The updated Novavax vaccine was approved this week for ages 12 and up and expected to be available within a week! 🎉
The US FDA gave the official thumbs up to the 2024-2025 updated COVID vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna that target the KP.2 variant of SARS-CoV-2 last week.
The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated COVID vaccine. The vaccines are still amongst the best tools we have to reduce the severity of COVID infections, keeping people out of the hospital (and alive!).
We know you’ve got questions! Here are some answers to the most common questions we are hearing:
âť“When will the vaccines be available?
Hopefully within the next week or two. The vaccines should ship to pharmacies and providers ASAP, and vaccine appointments are already available to book at CVS and Walgreens.
âť“Which vaccines are available?
The updated mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna).
âť“What about Novavax?Â
Novavax is not approved yet. We’re sorry that we don’t have more info on the timing but hopefully soon!
âť“Should I get the updated shot now?Â
Possibly; but anytime between now and New Year’s would be GREAT.
We are still in the midst of a bad wave of COVID. We may be nearing a peak, but remember there are still a lot of infections on the downward slope of any large wave (think area under the curve!). School is also starting, which may slow the decline in cases. This means that sadly, there isn’t a clear way to optimize the timing of your updated vaccine. Some scenarios to think about:
- If you’ve had a recent COVID infection, it’s best to wait at least 3 months for the updated shot, because your immunity is already very high (it’s safe to get one, you just won’t get much benefit). This will also help stretch out your immunity through the winter.
- Similarly, if you’ve had a COVID vaccine recently, you can wait at least 3 months to stretch out your immunity (although you are eligible 2 months after your last shot).
- If you haven’t had a COVID infection or vaccination since last fall, it’s reasonable to get one ASAP since cases are still high. The downside is that maximum protection against infection wanes in about 3 months, which would coincide with a likely winter wave (but protection against severe disease is more durable).
- Another reasonable choice is to get the updated shot in October/November to have higher protection going into the winter/holiday season. In this case you might want to take some additional precautions to lower your risk of infection during the current wave.
- People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised will be eligible for additional doses of the 2024-25 vaccine and thus could get one now and another later (subject to waiting if you’ve had a recent infection or vaccine as mentioned above).
- Getting the updated vaccine AT ANY TIME is better than not getting it at all.The vaccines still provide excellent and durable protection against severe disease. Don’t stress too much about timing – just do it!
âť“Can I get the COVID and Flu vaccine at the same time?
Yes! It is safe and effective to get the COVID and flu vaccines at the same time. In fact, combined shots are in development but not yet available this year. BUT…now is a bit early to get the flu vaccine. Flu season is more predictable than COVID, and the best timing for a flu shot is from mid-October onward for peak protection.  But again, if getting both shots now is easy and convenient, don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good!
âť“Is the updated vaccine a good match for current variants?
The updated mRNA vaccines target the KP.2 strain, which is still a close relative of the currently predominant KP.3.1.1 variant. This means the vaccines should protect well against variants circulating in the next few months. The updated Novavax will target the JN.1 variant, which is an older but still closely related variant. This vaccine was shown to induce broad neutralizing antibodies against many variants including KP.2 and KP.3.
âť“Are the vaccines free?Â
The COVID vaccine in the US is free via Medicare and most health insurance plans. Children ages 18 and under may be eligible for free vaccines via the Vaccines for Children program. For uninsured adults, it’s not clear whether last year’s Bridge Access Program will be renewed, so watch this space and also check with your local or state health department for any vaccine campaigns they might be running.
To repeat:
Getting the updated COVID vaccine AT ANY TIME is better than not getting it at all. Just do it.
Drop your additional questions in the comments or our question box!
Love,
Those Nerdy Girls
Additional links:
What to know about the Updated COVID Vaccine for Fall, Winter 2024-25, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
FDA approves the new COVID vaccine. Here’s the best time to get it.
