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What to Know About the Updated COVID Vaccine for Fall, Winter 2024–25

As in previous years, there are mRNA vaccines—one from Moderna, one from Pfizer—and a protein-based vaccine, from Novavax. One nuance this year is that the mRNA and protein-based vaccines target different—though closely related—variants. The updated mRNA COVID vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are based on the KP.2 strain, one of the FLiRT variants that have been spreading since early spring. These variants and their sub-variants have caused the majority of infections during this summer’s COVID wave. The protein-based Novavax vaccine is based on the JN.1 variant, which accounted for the majority of COVID infections in the first few months of 2024 and is the parent strain from which KP.2 and…

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 What you need to know about the new Covid-19 vaccine

Who should actually get the jab, and when?

Articles of Interest

A Winter of Low COVID Vaccination Will Probably Seem Fine

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Although dogged by controversy, the firm’s coronavirus jab saved the lives of millions and helped avert humanitarian crises in nations unable to access costly alternatives.

Cardiovascular risks and COVID-19: New research confirms the benefits of vaccination

It is not surprising that as debate over COVID-19 and vaccines flared that cardiovascular disease was a central issue. Those opposed to vaccination often make claims of cardiovascular risks that exceed any benefits. But when data on COVID-19, vaccines and cardiovascular health are reviewed, the conclusions are clear: vaccines are safe and effective at reducing the cardiovascular complications that are a hallmark of COVID-19.

Comparing the COVID-19 Vaccines: How Are They Different?

As the SARS-CoV-2 virus mutates and new variants continue to emerge, it’s important to keep up with how well the updated vaccines are performing, but it’s also a daunting task, given the flood of information (and misinformation) coming at us from so many directions. We mapped out a comparison of the most prominent COVID vaccines.

New Covid vaccines are coming out. The CDC wants you to get one

Everyone over 6 months should get a new shot, according to the CDC. Should we expect this every year?

Older U.S. adults should get another COVID-19 shot, health officials recommend

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Scientists create vaccine with potential to protect against future coronaviruses

Researchers say experimental shot is step towards goal of creating vaccines before a pandemic has started.

The Updated COVID Vaccines Are Here: 9 Things to Know

While COVID has been causing mostly mild illness recently, Yale Medicine infectious diseases specialist Onyema Ogbuagu, MBBCh, reminds people that the disease can still lead to hospitalization and death. “Infections can have long-term consequences,” Dr. Ogbuagu says, adding that even healthy people can develop Long COVID—a condition in which new, continuing, or recurring (and sometimes debilitating) symptoms are present four or more weeks after an initial coronavirus infection.

These Are the New Vaccines You Should Get—and It’s Not Just Covid-19

The CDC is urging people to get up to date on recommended vaccines.

Thousands Believe Covid Vaccines Harmed Them. Is Anyone Listening?

All vaccines have at least occasional side effects. But people who say they were injured by Covid vaccines believe their cases have been ignored.

Vaccination Dramatically Lowers Long COVID Risk

Several new studies reveal that getting multiple COVID vaccine doses provides strong protection against lingering symptoms.

Why the new COVID shot is a game-changer (and why the term ‘booster’ is obsolete)

Experts say it will be like the annual flu shot: one and done. Here’s why.

Resources

6 Things to Know About the Updated COVID Vaccines

The coronavirus is still making people sick, so it’s a good idea to get jabbed as soon as you can.