CDC Recommends 2023 Covid Booster Shots for All Americans

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that everyone aged 6 months and older receive the updated Covid vaccine this fall. The CDC's advisory committee voted in favor of the recommendation, citing the need to protect individuals and their loved ones. The updated vaccines, targeting the XBB.1.5 subvariant of omicron, are expected to be available within the next 48 hours. However, it remains uncertain whether most people will choose to get the booster shot. The recommendation suggests that everyone aged 5 and older receive one dose of the vaccine this fall. Vulnerable groups, such as children under 4 and individuals with weak immune systems, may require multiple shots. The CDC's advisers also included younger adults and children in their recommendations, highlighting evidence that a significant portion of hospitalized kids and teenagers have no underlying health conditions. The CDC committee's recommendations only apply to the updated Covid vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, with the FDA still reviewing data from Novavax. The cost of the Covid vaccines will no longer be covered by the federal government, but most insurance plans will cover them. Uninsured individuals can access the shots for free through community health centers or the Biden administration's "bridge" program.