The latest versions of the COVID-19 vaccine will soon be available at Wisconsin pharmacies, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across Wisconsin and the nation.
On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration approved the latest, updated versions of the COVID vaccine, formulated to target the dominant strains of COVID-19 circulating this year.
Like many parts of the country, Wisconsin is experiencing a summer uptick in COVID-19 levels, according to data from the state Department of Health Services.
COVID-19 hospitalizations have been rising in Wisconsin over the summer, though they remain far below hospitalization numbers seen during the peak of the pandemic and well below last winter’s levels. On any given day last week, about 190 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized in Wisconsin, compared to 159 hospitalizations per day the prior week, according to DHS data.
Here’s what to know about the updated COVID-19 vaccines and where to get them.
What are the updated COVID-19 vaccines?
Similar to the annual influenza vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccines are updated every year to provide better protection against currently circulating strains of the virus.
The timing of the updated COVID-19 vaccines largely coincides with that of annual flu shots and is meant to boost people’s protection before the winter surge of COVID-19, the time of year when levels of the disease tend to be highest.
The updated vaccines, made by Pfizer and Moderna, were formulated to target the COVID-19 subvariant KP.2, a move recommended by the FDA to more closely match variants circulating this year.
When will the new COVID-19 vaccines be available in Wisconsin?
CVS pharmacies expect to receive the latest, updated vaccines “within the next few days,” according to Amy Thibault, lead director of communications for CVS Pharmacy. Once vaccines arrive at pharmacies, “walk-ins will be accepted,” she said. Check the CVS website for available appointments.
Some CVS locations in Wisconsin had appointments for the new vaccine as early as Aug. 30. The CVS online scheduling tool said earlier appointments may open up “depending on when our locations receive the vaccine.”
Walgreens pharmacies will begin offering the vaccine on Sept. 6, according to a statement from Walgreens. Appointments can be made online at walgreens.com/schedulevaccine.
Check with other local pharmacies to see when they expect to have the vaccine available.
Who should get the latest COVID-19 vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone ages 6 months and up get an updated version of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The CDC advises it is especially important to get the vaccine if you are 65 years old or older, are at high risk for severe COVID-19 or have never received a COVID-19 vaccine.
When should you get the latest COVID-19 vaccine?
In general, people in higher-risk groups such as older patients or people with compromised immune systems should get the new shot as soon as possible, said Ajay Sethi, a professor of population health sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who studies infectious diseases.
He advised those who recently had COVID-19 to wait to get the new shot until three months after infection.
Sethi also advised paying attention to COVID-19 levels in your community and when COVID-19 levels tend to be the highest. Some people might want to wait until November, right before the typical winter surge, to get the booster, to maximize protection during the months of highest circulation, he said.
“There really isn’t a whole lot of guidance to provide everybody that’s one-size-fits-all. You just have to ask yourself, ‘When’s the last time I got a booster, when’s the last time I got COVID, how high-risk am I, and what do I have upcoming where I feel like I want to make sure I’m protected? … Am I going to be going to a holiday gathering?’ ” he said.
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