When Iowans should get the new COVID vaccine booster

The updated COVID-19 booster started rolling out this week in Des Moines. As winter approaches, health officials say some people should start making plans to get it as soon as possible.

Why it matters: COVID-19 has mutated so quickly that vaccinations were in need of an update to target strains like Omicron that now account for the majority of U.S. cases, writes Axios' Tina Reed and Adriel Bettelheim.

When to get it: If you're 60 and older or immunocompromised, you should get it as soon as possible, according to NPR.

• Some people may feel a preference to wait until the holiday season so they're at maximum protection when visiting family and when cases are expected to surge in November and December.
• If that's the case, waiting until later in September or October is reasonable, NPR reports.

Who should wait: People who received the COVID-19 vaccine or booster within the last 60 days.

• If you were recently infected with COVID, you should also wait for two months.

Where to find it: Hy-Vee, CVS and Walgreens pharmacies are offering appointments now and the Polk County Health Department expects to have available supply soon.