Updated COVID Vaccines Now Available | San Jose News

0:00Updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available across the Bay Area. The Food and Drug Administration has approved new versions from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax designed to offer better protection against the current. Dominance strain of the virus. This comes as positive COVID-19 tests in the region have reached moderate levels just over 9 percent. Public health agencies, including the CDC and state and local departments, emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID-19. These updated vaccines are considered safe and are recommended by leading medical organizations. The American Medical Association and other groups suggest an annual updated booster for most healthy adults and those with weakened immune systems. Individuals 65 and older should get an annual dose plus a booster every six months. Children, six months and older are also eligible with older kids able to get vaccinated if desired.

1:01You can find these new vaccines at major pharmacies like Walgreens, Safeway, and CVS, with Kaiser Permanente expected to begin offering them the week of September 14. It's generally recommended to weigh three months after your last booster or four months after an infection before getting the new shot as immunity. Those defaite around those times. The good news is that if you have health insurance, these updated COVID-19 shots should be covered at no cost to the end of 2027. Flu shots are also readily available at the same locations and medical associations recommend everyone over six months old get an annual flu. Vaccination, San Jose News today, powered by AI bringing you what matters. I'm Corey with the story.