On September 11, 2023, the FDA approved the most recent COVID booster shots, which ought to be available for eager arms in the approaching days. It will include a brand new booster mRNA vaccine from each Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna to bolster your protection as we head into the winter months. 

The 2 newest COVID-19 variants, XBB.1.5 and EG.5, are surging across the USA at once—with hospitalizations increasing for the past six weeks. Variant EG.5 is chargeable for twenty percent of recent cases and XBB.1.5 is chargeable for five percent of all latest cases.

The week of August nineteenth saw greater than 15,000 latest COVID admissions, the very best number since last winter. Although greater than 97 percent of Americans sixteen and older have some kind of immunity against the virus, whether through vaccination or previous infection, the most recent surge in cases appears to be escaping prior virus immunity. 

The updated booster shot, aimed to focus on the XBB.1.5 variant, won’t specifically goal the EG.5 variant, or the most recent variant on the horizon, BA.2.86. Nevertheless, all three variants are descendants of the Omnicron variant, so getting the booster vaccine can assist prevent hospitalizations and death and still offer some profit to those that receive them. 

This is very vital for people who find themselves at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection—including individuals with diabetes. 

The COVID-19 and diabetes connection 

While having diabetes doesn’t make you more vulnerable to getting COVID-19, for those who do get it, you might experience more severe symptoms of the virus. 

Studies show that about 20 percent of people who find themselves hospitalized with COVID-19 have diabetes (any type), and around 35 percent of COVID-19 deaths occur in individuals who even have diabetes. Mortality rates from COVID-19 are similar for each type 1 and type 2 diabetes. 

Moreover, a study conducted by Vanderbilt University found that individuals with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes who’ve COVID-19 have three to 4 times higher risk of severe complications and hospitalization in comparison with people without diabetes.

The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have been found to be protected and effective for shielding yourself and others against severe illness, hospitalizations and death— especially for those who live with diabetes. 

Viral infections like COVID-19 increase overall bodily inflammation (internal swelling). This inflammation may cause insulin resistance, leading to chronic high blood sugar levels. Chronically elevated blood sugar levels can decelerate healing and result in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)—which will be fatal. 

Masking up, staying home once you’re sick, and staying up in your vaccinations are one of the best defenses against these newest variants of the disease. 

Tips on how to access the booster vaccine 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) committee of out of doors vaccine experts met on September 12 to find out who’s eligible for the brand new booster shot, they usually determined that it’s protected and effective for everybody six months and older. 

Unlike previous vaccine rollouts, this one isn’t tiered based on patient risk. Previously, older Americans and people with chronic conditions, disabilities and the immunocompromised were capable of get their shots sooner. 

It’s because fewer and fewer Americans are getting booster shots, with only seventeen percent of Americans receiving their last booster (in comparison with over eighty-one percent of Americans who received the primary COVID-19 vaccine). 

For these reasons, the vaccine availability is open and available for all once immediately upon release. 

The brand new vaccine will likely be disseminated to pharmacies and doctor’s offices nationwide throughout the coming days. 

Representatives from each Walgreens and CVS said their pharmacies will provide the brand new booster shots to all who’re eligible under the CDC guidelines. You could also access the booster vaccine at your local pharmacy, doctor’s office, or your local public health department. 

The shots will be freed from charge for many Americans, through private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. 

For individuals who are uninsured, they could have the ability to get their booster shots without spending a dime at community health centers. Moreover, vaccine manufacturers are expected to donate free shots for the uninsured. 

A government-sponsored bridge program may additionally provide inexpensive access to the vaccines through 2024. 

You need to have the ability to get the COVID vaccine and your annual flu shot at the identical time. 

Who should get the booster 

The FDA recommends the next groups to get the mRNA booster shot:

• People five years and older no matter previous vaccination can receive a single dose of the brand new booster shot, whether it is at the least two months for the reason that last dose of any COVID-19 vaccination. 
• People six months through 4 years of age who’ve previously been vaccinated against COVID-19 can receive one or two doses of the updated mRNA vaccine (timing and variety of doses will vary based on health history) 
• Unvaccinated people six months through 4 years of age can receive three doses of the updated Pfizer vaccine or two doses of the updated Moderna vaccine.

Peter Marks, MD, PhD, the director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics, Evaluation, and Research, said, “Vaccination stays critical to public health and continued protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.” 

He continued, “The general public will be assured that these updated vaccines have met the agency’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality. We very much encourage those that are eligible to contemplate getting vaccinated.”

More information on vaccine eligibility will be found here.