Americans are expected to have more options to protect themselves against COVID-19 in the fall
According to The New York Times and NBC News, the Biden administration plans to roll out an updated booster shot in September.
The vaccines would target the omicron variant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the omicron subvariant BA.5 makes up about 80% of new COVID-19 cases in the country. Health officials say the subvariant is highly contagious, but no more likely to cause severe outcomes. Pfizer and Moderna have developed the updated vaccines, which are still going through the regulatory process.
The Department of Health and Human Services announced an agreement to purchase 66 million booster doses ahead of their anticipated authorization.The vaccines will eventually be shipped to states and offered at no cost.