Two of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains have announced their plans for scheduling appointments for the new COVID-19 vaccines designed to target the latest variants of the coronavirus.
Following the CDC’s approval on Tuesday, CVS Health is making the updated COVID-19 vaccines available at its locations nationwide, including over 350 CVS locations in Ohio. Appointments for individuals aged five and older can be booked through CVS.com and the CVS Pharmacy app. CVS also offers the convenience of group appointments, allowing families and caregivers to protect multiple individuals during a single visit.
Walgreens has also joined in, allowing eligible individuals to schedule appointments immediately. Starting on Monday, September 18, available appointments will be accessible nationwide, with additional slots potentially opening up as Walgreens stores receive vaccine shipments. Appointments can be arranged by visiting Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine, using the Walgreens app, or calling 1-800-WALGREENS. The availability of appointments will be updated daily as vaccine supplies arrive at stores.
These new mRNA vaccines are specially formulated to target emerging variants and provide enhanced protection against severe COVID-19 cases, as approved by the FDA.
To avert the potential « tripledemic » of flu, COVID-19, and RSV, health officials strongly recommend staying up to date with seasonal vaccinations and considering receiving multiple vaccines during a single visit.
The CDC advises that everyone aged 6 months and older should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine to safeguard against severe COVID-19 consequences during the fall and winter. The updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are readily available.
According to the CDC, vaccination continues to be the most effective defense against COVID-19-related hospitalizations and fatalities.
Vaccination also reduces the risk of experiencing Long COVID, a condition that can develop during or after an acute infection and persist for an extended period.
If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past 2 months, the CDC recommends getting an updated COVID-19 vaccine for protection during the upcoming fall and winter seasons.
The virus causing COVID-19 is continuously evolving, and the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines diminishes over time. Receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine can restore and improve protection against the variants currently responsible for the majority of infections and hospitalizations in the United States.
The CDC reports that individuals who received a 2022-2023 COVID-19 vaccine last season experienced better protection against illness and hospitalization than those who did not receive the 2022-2023 vaccine.
Most Americans can still receive a COVID-19 vaccine at no cost. For those with health insurance, the vaccine is typically covered at no charge. Individuals without insurance or whose plans do not cover the cost can obtain a free vaccine from local health centers, state and local health departments, tribal or territorial health agencies, and pharmacies participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program. Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program can also receive the vaccine from enrolled providers.
