Updated COVID vaccines are rolling out across Colorado
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COVID-19 vaccinations are now available at pharmacies across the nation. Photo: Christina House/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
New COVID-19 and flu vaccines are hitting the shelves in Colorado — just in time for back-to-school season.
Why it matters: Much of the country, including the Centennial State, has been hit by a COVID spike this summer.
Threat level: Recent wastewater surveillance data shows "very high" viral activity levels in Colorado, per the CDC.
Driving the news: The Food and Drug Administration approved new formulations of both Moderna and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, and the updated shots are now available at CVS, Walgreens and many other pharmacies and doctors' offices.
- CDC advisers recommend people 6 months and older get the latest vaccines.
Between the lines: The share of Coloradans considered up-to-date on their shots and boosters is slightly better than the national average, "but absolutely not what we would like them to be," Colorado epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy told CPR.
- The latest CDC data shows about 26% of Colorado adults have received a 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose compared to 22% of adults nationwide.
What they're saying: Public health experts say getting the latest jab can boost waning immunity from prior infections or shots and provide more protection against the latest variants.
- September and October tend to be the best months to receive COVID and flu shots, which can be administered simultaneously, health experts say.
Yes, but: For people who have caught COVID recently, the CDC recommends waiting three months after you recover before getting another shot.
What we're watching: The federal government also plans to relaunch its free COVID-19 home testing program ahead of the fall cold and virus season.
- Those should be available for order again by the end of September.
Go deeper: Where to find the new COVID vaccine booster shots