For people whose fall agenda includes vaccinations against respiratory illnesses—Covid, influenza and, for some, RSV—this year may be surprisingly routine.
After a confusing few months this summer, in which federal officials announced and then abandoned changes to Covid vaccination recommendations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on October 6 announced updated fall vaccination schedules they are not much different from last year. That should clear the way for most people to get vaccinated this fall, public health experts say.
“The patient's experience shouldn't be any different than what they've experienced in the past, except maybe they'll get a little more information from the pharmacist,” he said. Hannah FishSenior Director of Strategic Initiatives, National Association of Community Pharmacists.
Here's what you need to know:
COVID-19 vaccine
Covid vaccination recommended this fall for everyone from 6 months and olderwith one caveat. People need to talk to their provider first. The model is called “shared clinical decision making.” Providers may be doctors, pharmacists, or health care workers who administer vaccinations. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has emphasized that for people under 65, vaccination is generally more beneficial for those who are at higher risk of severe Covid disease.
Although the pictures are recommended for the same age group as last year, some wrinkles may occur. While the CDC's approval is broad and means health plans must cover the shot without charging consumers for it, some providers may refuse to give the vaccine to people under 65 unless they have an underlying medical condition that puts them at risk for severe Covid illness if they become infected. That's what Food and Drug Administration Label advises about the Covid vaccine.
“It’s a nuance that can arise in the interaction between the provider and the patient,” he said. Jen Catessenior vice president and director of global and public health policy at KFF, a nonprofit health information organization that includes KFF Health News.
However, if a provider refuses to give a shot to a healthy person because it would be “off-label,” another provider would likely be willing to give someone the shot, experts say.
“They could go to another pharmacy,” Cates said.
Many states have stepped in to ensure people can get vaccines if they want them, the data shows. CFF analysis. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have adopted recommendations that are broader than those from the federal government, Cates said.
However, the percentage of people choosing to get the Covid vaccine continues to fall. At the end of April, 23% of adults said they had received a valid vaccine. According to the CDC.
With uptake so low this year, fewer pharmacies and doctors may be willing to stock up on the shot, he said. Jeff Levin jokeis a primary care physician, director of health care at consulting firm WTW, and assistant professor at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health.
Major chains including CVS and Walgreens say they have enough supply to meet demand.
However, the additional hassles people may have to go through – such as having to find another pharmacy or doctor – could impact uptake of the Covid jab.
“To get more people to get vaccinated, we need to make it really easy to get vaccinated and take the necessary steps,” Levin-Schertz said.
Flu vaccine
More people are seeking a flu vaccine than a Covid vaccine, but even so, only 47% of adults got vaccinated last flu season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that virtually everyone 6 months of age and older receives a flu shot every year. This year is no different. Vaccinations should be widely available at pharmacies and doctors' offices, and health insurance plans would cover vaccinations without charging people for them.
Federal Department of Health and Human Services announced in July that flu vaccines should not contain thimerosal, a preservative that prevents the growth of bacteria in vaccines. Eat no evidence A mercury additive that has been used for decades is harmful, according to vaccine researchers. Last year, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that only 6% of influenza vaccines use thimerosal as a preservative.
RSV vaccine
This vaccine protects against respiratory syncytial virus, which is highly contagious. seasonal virus which affects the lungs and respiratory tract. Although symptoms are usually mild, RSV can lead to serious lung infections, especially in older people.
Vaccine approved in 2023. The CDC recommends this for all people aged 75 and over, and for people aged 50 to 74 who have medical conditions that put them at risk of severe illness.
Eligible people should be able to get the RSV vaccine at their local pharmacy, Fish said.
The RSV vaccine is not an annual vaccine. If you have already received it, you do not need to receive it again under current rules.
