COVID Booster Shots: Rolling Out Soon as Cases Rise

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to approve new Covid booster shots by Pfizer and Moderna as early as Monday, alongside the seasonal flu vaccine and shots to protect against R.S.V. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will hold an advisory meeting on Tuesday to discuss who should receive the new shots. Once approved, millions of doses will be distributed nationwide within days. The Biden administration plans to encourage the public to get their Covid and flu shots simultaneously. Concerns remain about the private market's ability to meet demand and ensure access for uninsured individuals. The new vaccines target the XBB.1.5 variant and are expected to reduce the chances of severe illness, hospitalization, or death.