Despite the hype, vaccines should be available this cough and cold season

Michelle Andrews

For people whose fall agenda includes vaccination against respiratory illnesses — Covid, influenza, and, for some, respiratory syncytial virus — this year can be surprisingly routine.

After several confusing months this summer when federal officials announced changes to COVID vaccine recommendations and then backed away from them, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Oct. Announcing updated fall immunization schedules Which is no different from last year. Public health experts say that would pave the way for most people who want doses this fall to get them.

“From the patient’s experience, it shouldn’t be anything different from what they’ve experienced in the past, except maybe they’ll get more information from the pharmacist,” he said. Hannah Fishsenior director of strategic initiatives at the National Community Pharmacists Association.

Here’s what you need to know:

Coronavirus disease vaccine

This fall, the COVID vaccine is recommended For everyone 6 months or olderwith one caveat. People need to have a conversation with their provider first, a model called ‘shared clinical decision making’. Providers can be doctors, pharmacists or health professionals who administer the doses. For people under 65, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has emphasized that vaccination is generally more beneficial for those who are at higher risk for severe coronavirus infection.

Although the injections are recommended for the same age group as last year, there are some potential wrinkles. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s approval is broad and means health plans must cover vaccination without charging consumers, some providers may refuse to give the vaccine to people under 65 unless they have an underlying condition that puts them at risk for severe Covid illness if they become infected. That’s what FDA mark For COVID vaccine advice.

“It’s a little difference that can make in the interaction between provider and patient,” he said. Jane Keatssenior vice president and director of global and public health policy at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.

However, if a provider refuses to give the shot to a healthy person because doing so would be “off-label,” another provider will likely be willing to give the shot to someone, experts said.

“They can go to a different pharmacy,” Kitts said.

Many states have stepped in to ensure people can get vaccines if they want them KFF analysis. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have adopted broader recommendations than the federal government, Kates said.

However, the percentage of people choosing to get the Covid vaccine continues to decline. At the end of April, 23% of adults said they had received the current vaccine, According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

With the low uptake rate, fewer pharmacies and doctors may choose to stock the vaccine this year Jeff Levin jokea primary care physician who is a population health leader at management consulting firm WTW and an assistant professor at Harvard Chan School of Public Health.

Large chains, including CVS and Walgreens, say they have enough supplies on hand to meet demand.

However, the additional hurdles people may have to go through — such as having to find a different pharmacy or doctor — could have an impact on the uptake of the Covid vaccine.

“To get more people vaccinated, the key is to make vaccination very easy and take the necessary steps,” Levin Shears said.

Flu vaccine

More people are seeking a flu shot than a COVID shot, but despite this, only 47% of adults got a flu shot last flu season.

the The CDC recommends Almost everyone age 6 months or older gets a flu vaccine annually. This year is no different. The shots should be widely available in pharmacies and doctors’ offices, and health plans will cover the shots without charging people for them.

Federal Department of Health and Human Services Announced in July Flu vaccines should not contain thimerosal, a preservative that prevents the growth of bacteria in vaccines. there There is no evidence The mercury-containing additive, which has been used for decades, is harmful, according to vaccine researchers. last year, The CDC estimates Only 6% of influenza vaccines use thimerosal as a preservative.

RSV vaccine

This vaccine protects against respiratory syncytial virus, which is highly contagious Seasonal virus Which affects the lungs and respiratory system. Although symptoms are usually mild, RSV can lead to serious lung infections, especially in older adults.

Vaccine Approved in 2023. the The CDC recommends this For everyone age 75 or older and for people ages 50 to 74 who have medical conditions that put them at risk for serious illness.

People who meet the criteria should be able to get the RSV vaccine from their local pharmacy, Fish said.

The RSV vaccine is not an annual vaccine. If you’ve already received it, you don’t need to get it again, according to current guidelines.

KFF Health News It is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism on health issues and is one of the core operating programs of KFF – an independent source for health policy research, polling and journalism. Learn more about KFF.