Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Recommended for All, Including High-Risk Groups

In a significant development, an expert panel has recommended that everyone, regardless of age or health status, should receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine. This decision follows the recent approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the updated vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, with the endorsement of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director.

The newly updated vaccines have been tailored to target the more recent variants of the COVID-19 virus, which has been evolving since its emergence in late 2019. While the variant currently prevalent in the United States is EG.5, which accounts for about 22% of cases, several other variants, all part of the omicron family, make up the rest. These vaccines are expected to remain effective against these variants.

Research presented during the advisory committee meeting highlighted the continued safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. Notably, those who stand to benefit the most from the shots are individuals at the highest risk of severe disease due to age, underlying health conditions, or immune-compromising medications.

The federal advisory panel, composed of 14 experts in infectious diseases, immunology, family medicine, and medical research, emphasized the need for vaccination in the following groups:

1. Individuals aged 65 or older.
2. Infants under 6 months.
3. Pregnant individuals.
4. Those under 65 with conditions affecting their immune system or taking immune-suppressing medications for conditions like cancer or autoimmune diseases.

COVID-19 infections have been on the rise since early July, with an approximate 16% increase in hospitalizations and an 11% increase in deaths in the past week, though these numbers remain below previous peaks.

The previous bivalent vaccine, available since last year, is no longer recommended.

Key Data on COVID-19 Vaccines:

• Over 700 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the United States to date, with an overall positive safety record.
• The most commonly reported side effects include short-term discomfort, and there have been cases of myocarditis, primarily among older adolescents and young men, mainly after the second vaccine dose.
• A transient increased risk of stroke was observed among individuals over 65 who received both flu and COVID-19 vaccines last winter, although the exact cause remains unclear.
• Severe allergic reactions to the vaccine occurred in about 5 people per one million vaccinated.
• Hospitalization data reveals that a significant portion of children hospitalized with COVID-19 had no underlying health conditions, highlighting the importance of vaccination for all age groups.
• For adults hospitalized with COVID-19, most had multiple underlying health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or neurological disorders.

Panel Deliberations:

The panel voted overwhelmingly in favor of recommending vaccination for everyone, with one member advocating for a more selective approach focused on individuals at the highest risk for severe disease. However, most committee members argued that an inclusive approach was necessary, ensuring access to vaccines for those without easy access to healthcare.

The panel highlighted that COVID-19 deaths are preventable through vaccination, and while the disease burden varies by age, serious illness and death can occur across all age groups, including those without underlying medical conditions.

Upcoming Availability:

The FDA’s recent actions pertain to the vaccines produced by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech. These vaccines have been updated to target the omicron variant XBB.1.5, which was dominant in the spring and early summer. The government will no longer cover the cost of all COVID-19 vaccinations, meaning individuals with health insurance should have coverage, but those without insurance may need to pay out of pocket, with a cost estimated at $110 to $130 per shot.

Additionally, Novavax, a third vaccine manufacturer, is ready for delivery, though it was not part of the recent FDA action. The FDA is considering emergency authorization for this protein-based vaccine in individuals aged 12 and above.

This development marks a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and underscores the importance of widespread vaccination to protect public health.