Flu shots ready now; updated COVID-19 vaccine, new RSV vaccine for babies, elderly coming soon
By Julie Washington, Aug. 25, 2023, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The rollout of a new flu vaccine is a part of fall like football and new backpacks. But this year, the flu vaccine is being joined by an updated COVID-19 vaccine and new RSV vaccines for newborns and older people.

Area pharmacies — including CVS, Giant Eagle, Meijer, Rite Aid and Walmart — are ready to administer flu shots now, as well as RSV vaccines for adults 60 and up. Many locations accept walk-ins, or patients can make an appointment online.

Flu shots are also available from doctor’s offices and health centers. Everyone over the age of 6 months should get a flu shot, with September and October being the best times for most people to get vaccinated, according to the CDC.

Last year, high numbers of influenza, COVID-19 and RSV cases put local hospitals under significant strain. Infants and older adults are most at risk of severe RSV, and area medical centers coped an influx of RSV cases in small children last year.

“We really do need to prepare ourselves for the upcoming fall and winter respiratory season, which will undoubtedly include COVID-19, influenza and RSV again this year,” Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, said in a recent media
briefing. “The best way for us to protect ourselves from these three respiratory viruses is to keep up-to-date with the appropriate vaccinations.”

But you’ll have to wait for the updated COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the RSV vaccine for newborns. Both are expected later this fall.

Rite Aid and other local pharmacies are waiting for guidance on the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine formulation from the CDC, and for supplies to become available, a drug store representatives said.

When the updated COVID-19 vaccine does arrive, it won’t automatically be offered at no cost. Free COVID-19 immunizations are no longer guaranteed by the federal government, raising questions about how people without health insurance will pay for them.

Josh Sweet, pharmacist in charge at Klein’s Pharmacy in Cuyahoga Falls, said the independent drug store doesn’t know yet what it will charge out-of-pocket customers for the COVID-19 or RSV vaccines. “That’s something that we’re going to have to
evaluate,” Sweet said.

Parents are excited to have a vaccine to protect babies against serious illness caused by this respiratory virus, said Hiba Betka, pharmacy district leader at CVS Health. Her district covers northern Ohio.

“I’m a parent myself, and this is a big deal for me,” Betka said.

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, causes respiratory tract infections and spreads through coughs, sneezes and germs on surfaces. In children under age 2, severe RSV can lead to pneumonia and hospitalization.

Nationally, RSV is the leading cause of hospitalizations in infants younger than 1, Vanderhoff said.

The CDC recommends that infants born shortly before or during RSV season should get a shot of the new RSV vaccine within one week of birth, Vanderhoff said. Children younger than 8 months who haven’t had a shot should get one shortly before RSV season
starts.

Babies from 8 to 19 months of age and who have underlying risks making them more vulnerable to hospitalization can also get the RSV vaccine through their second respiratory season.

The RSV shot for infants could be available by mid-October. “That would be very good timing,” Vanderhoff said.

However, parents may have to go to a doctor’s office or medical facility to get the RSV vaccine for infants, because it won’t be available at some pharmacies. Walmart and Rite Aid do not administer immunizations to children under 3. Meijer currently
has no plans to carry the infant RSV vaccine. Giant Eagle doesn’t know when it will offer the RSV vaccine for infants.

Adults 60 and over should get vaccinated against RSV, especially those with weakened immune systems, asthma, COPD, congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease, Sweet from Klein’s Pharmacy said. It’s also recommended for people in nursing
homes or long-term care facilities.

“If you’re going to be around children, and you’re age 60 or older, you definitely should get it to try to prevent the spread to young ones,” Sweet said.

Federal health officials recommend that older patients speak with their doctor before getting the RSV vaccine.

Between 60,000 and 160,000 people 65 and older are estimated to be hospitalized due to RSV every year, and approximately 6,000 to 10,000 among that age group die, according to federal data.

The RSV vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines, according to the CDC. CVS Health’s Betka recommended talking to a local pharmacist or healthcare provider about whether it’s a good idea to get multiple vaccines at the same time.

Updated COVID-19 vaccine coming by Halloween -------------------------------------------
Health officials are waiting for the FDA to officially approve an updated COVID-19 vaccine and then for the CDC to make recommendations on it. These approvals are expected later this fall.

People who have never been immunized against COVID-19 will get the standard two doses, but it will be of the updated vaccine when it becomes available, not the original formula. Those who get booster shots will also receive the updated vaccine.

Anyone thinking about getting the COVID-19 vaccine for the first time, or a booster jab, should wait until the updated formula is available, Sweet said.

About 68% of Ohioans over age 5 have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, according to state data.

Updated COVID-19 vaccine, RSV shot will be free for many -----------------------------------------------------------
Free COVID-19 vaccines are no longer guaranteed for all Americans, but the federal government has put programs in place that will make free shots available for many people without insurance. The updated COVID-19 vaccine will be readily available to
Ohioans, including to those without insurance, Vanderhoff said.

Eligible children in Ohio, including the uninsured, can get free COVID-19 vaccines and boosters through the federal Vaccines for Children program, state health officials said.

Ohio adults without health insurance can get free COVID-19 shots through the CDC’s Bridge Access Program. Ohio has access to about 90,000 doses under this program, which will be in effect through the end of 2024.

In addition, the CDC will contract with participating pharmacy chains to allow them to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations to uninsured patients, Ohio health officials said. The list of participating pharmacies has not been released.

Nationally, the Affordable Care Act says patients can get some vaccines at no cost to them. The uninsured may find free or low-cost vaccines at some health centers and state health departments.

https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2023/08/flu-shots-ready-now-updated-covid-19-vaccine-new-rsv-vaccine-for-babies-elderly-coming-soon.html

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