We should know later this month about a new Covid 19 vaccine. We don’t know yet for whom it will be recommended. Here is an update from today’s US News and World Report. When the report comes out we will make recommendations on flu, Covid 19 and the new adult RSV vaccines.
Pfizer: FDA Authorization for Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Expected in August
Progress toward an updated COVID-19 shot in the fall is inching forward.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla this week said that the Food and Drug Administration could authorize his company’s new vaccine by the end of the month ahead of a potential fall and winter coronavirus wave.
Originally, federal officials had proposed September for the rollout of the fall COVID-19 shots, which have been updated to combat the omicron subvariant XBB.1.5. But the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told NPR this week that the shots will be available “probably in the early October time frame.”
Experts hope that a fall booster campaign will increase protection against the coronavirus ahead of a potential fall and winter wave. Moderna and Novavax are also working on updated COVID-19 shots for this timeline. Insurance will cover the costs of the shots for most Americans, while the Biden administration plans to launch a program in the fall that will provide free COVID-19 shots and treatments to uninsured and underinsured Americans.
Low uptake could also be an issue for Pfizer’s revenue.
The company’s profits skyrocketed during the pandemic from COVID-19 shots and the antiviral Paxlovid, but as coronavirus metrics fell to their lowest on record, the company’s sales diminished. Pfizer officials on Tuesday said that they would need to implement a cost-cutting program if its coronavirus products keep underperforming.
“The COVID environment continues to evolve rapidly and remains highly unpredictable,” Pfizer CFO David Denton said in a statement. “In spite of this uncertainty, the company is maintaining its focus on ensuring successful fall vaccinations during the respiratory infection season.”
But there are reasons to be hopeful that uptake of the shots could be higher this time around. A survey from KFF found that more than half of adults said they are likely to get another COVID-19 booster shot if it’s offered annually like the flu shot.
Additionally, COVID-19 hospitalizations increased last week for the second week in a row after months of declines. Should the trend continue, more Americans may become aware of a potential coronavirus wave, likely increasing willingness to roll up their sleeves for another shot.
Copyright 2023 U.S. News & World Report
