Who should get a COVID vaccine this year?
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[September 13, 2023]
By Michael Erman
(Reuters) -The U.S. drug regulator authorized updated COVID-19 vaccines
from Pfizer and its partner BioNTech as well as from Moderna this week
as the country prepares to start an autumn vaccination campaign. A third
vaccine from Novavax remains under review.
On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the shots for
those aged 12 and above, and authorized them for emergency use in
children aged 6 months through 11 years. Advisers to the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention voted on Tuesday to recommend the use
of the vaccines widely. CDC Director Mandy Cohen said last month she
expects the shots to be given annually, but not all doctors agree
everyone needs them each year.
How is this year's vaccine different from last year?
Pfizer with BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax all have created new versions
of their COVID-19 vaccines. Unlike last year's booster shot that
included the original strain of the virus and the then-dominant Omicron
variant, this year's shot targets only XBB.1.5, the predominant variant
through most of 2023.
The companies have said their retooled vaccines have been shown in early
testing to work against newer Omicron subvariants now circulating,
including the highly mutated BA.2.86.
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Should seniors, the immunocompromised and pregnant people get the shot
this year?
There is broad consensus among doctors that these groups should receive
at least an annual COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the virus because
of their elevated risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death. For
instance, the British government's vaccine committee said only adults 65
and older and some of these other categories will be offered the shot as
they are the most likely to benefit.
Should younger, healthy adults get the new vaccine?
Many doctors believe the vaccine should be recommended annually for
everyone, much like influenza vaccines.
Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University infectious diseases
specialist and a liaison to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices, said a simple and straight-forward recommendation is likely
best.
"If you're six months of age or older, you should get a flu vaccine.
Sounds good to me for COVID also," Schaffner said.
Dr. David Boulware, a University of Minnesota infectious diseases
specialist, said he would recommend that healthy adults get the shots.
According to research he has published, people who have received booster
shots have symptoms that are less severe and shorter-lasting if they get
sick.
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![](../images/091323PIX/health41.jpg)
A nurse fills up syringes with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
vaccines for residents who are over 50 years old and
immunocompromised and are eligible to receive their second booster
shots in Waterford, Michigan, U.S., April 8, 2022. REUTERS/Emily
Elconin/File Photo
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Sep/13/images/ads/current/graue_lda_preowned_091223.jpg) Dr. Paul Offit, a University of
Pennsylvania infectious disease expert and a member of the FDA's
vaccine advisory panel, said he believes the shots should be
recommended annually only for high-risk groups. Studies have not
shown the booster shots protect against disease in lower-risk
populations, Offit said.
Should people suffering with long COVID get the shot?
There is some data that suggests that vaccination after infection
may contribute to a reduction in long COVID symptoms. Regardless,
doctors have said that a second episode of COVID-19 could rekindle
prior long COVID or worsen ongoing symptoms, and vaccination could
help protect against that.
Should children receive a COVID-19 vaccine this year?
Opinions vary on the need for the shots in children.
University of Minnesota epidemiologist Michael Osterholm said
children made up a larger percentage of deaths and hospitalizations
among those currently with COVID. Although hospitalizations in
general are fairly low, over the past month people ages 17 and under
have accounted for around 5-6% of COVID-19 hospitalizations,
compared with around 4% on average over the previous two years,
according to CDC data.
"If parents want to vaccinate their kids, they should be allowed
to," Osterholm said.
Boulware said he believes giving children boosters is unnecessary
unless there is an immunocompromised person in the household.
The American Academy of Pediatrics said it would make its
recommendations after the CDC's advisory committee meets.
(Reporting by Michael Erman, Additional reporting by Julie
Steenhuysen in Chicago and Maggie Fick in London; Editing by
Caroline Humer and Will Dunham)
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