GREEN BAY – The newest set of COVID-19 vaccines are ready for distribution. The Food and Drug Administration approved updated Pfizer and Moderna vaccines on Thursday, and doses of the vaccines have begun shipping to pharmacies in Wisconsin.
Appointments for the new shots are open as soon as Wednesday. Here’s what to know about the new shots before you book your appointment.
Is the new shot available in Green Bay?
At CVS Pharmacy spots in Green Bay, sign-ups are available for appointments beginning Wednesday. Walgreens is also offering appointments for Sept. 6.
As of Monday, Walmart, Meijer, Costco, and Pick ‘n Save pharmacies have not opened up appointments for the vaccine yet. Check with your local pharmacy for updates when the vaccine will become available.
Does it offer protection against new variants?
Yes, the new Pfizer and Moderna vaccines offer protection for the newest family of variants, specifically targeted towards the KP.2 variant — a subvariant of the parent JN.1 omicron variant. KP.2 is one of the “FLiRT” variants circulating around the U.S., although KP.3.1.1 is currently the most dominant strain of the virus making up about 40% of cases between Aug. 3 through Aug. 17.
Should I get the new vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends anyone 6 months and older to get the updated vaccine ahead of another possible winter surge. It’s most important for anyone 65 and older, has a chronic health condition, or never got a COVID-19 vaccine.
If you were recently infected with COVID-19 you are encouraged to wait three months to get vaccinated when immunity from infection wanes.
Are the vaccines still free?
Health insurance plans should cover the cost of the shot.
For those who are uninsured or underinsured, kids under 18 will will be able to sign up for an appointment through a Vaccine for Children clinic provided by Brown County Public Health. The vaccine will be available for free or at a lower cost for adults at the N.E.W. Community Clinic. Reach out to Brown County Public Health to find more information.
Is the Novavax shot still available?
A new Novavax vaccine that targets the JN.1 variant has been created and is waiting on FDA approval. It will become available after the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines ship out.
Novavax is protein-based and is considered a more traditional technology, compared to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that use mRNA to teach cells how to generate an immune response.
Are there cases in the Green Bay area right now?
It is on the rise in the area. As of Monday, the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater was “high” in Green Bay and “very high” in De Pere, according to data from the state Department of Health Services.
The summer surge continues to increase statewide, with levels on Aug. 20 reaching wastewater levels last seen at the end of January, DHS data shows.
Free COVID tests to be mailed out again
Ahead of winter, homes will be able to order four free COVID-19 tests again to be used through the end of the year. The website is currently closed, but it will open back up at the end of September. Order the tests at COVIDtests.gov.
USA TODAY contributed to this report.
Contact Benita Mathew at bmathew@gannett.com.
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