COVID vaccine: When and where you can get a booster around Indy

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday recommended people 6 months and older receive an updated COVID vaccine to protect themselves against getting sick or hospitalized from the potentially deadly virus. Vaccines updated from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna will be available later this week.

The announcement came hours after a CDC advisory panel met to discuss vaccinations as COVID cases continue to trickle higher across the country.

Infections from COVID-19 have been rising since early July, according to CDC data. Hospitalizations are up nearly 16% and deaths nearly 17% in the week that ended Thursday, compared to the week before, though totals remain well below previous peaks.

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The CDC's recommendation follows the Food and Drug Administration’s move Monday to authorize updated COVID-19 vaccines aimed at more recent viral variants. The FDA approved new versions of two vaccines: Comirnaty, Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine, for people 12 and older, and Spikevax, Moderna's vaccine for people 18 and older.

The FDA authorized use of the updated versions of both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna's vaccines for emergency use in children ages 6 months through 11 years.

“We have more tools than ever to prevent the worst outcomes from COVID-19,” said CDC Director Mandy Cohen in a news release. “CDC is now recommending updated COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months and older to better protect you and your loved ones.”

Wearing masks remains optional in Marion County schools

Most of Marion County’s 11 school districts told IndyStar that they have not seen a significant rise in COVID-19 cases and that wearing masks remains optional for students and staff.

“We have seen cases of COVID-19 in our schools over the past few weeks, but this is not unexpected considering the rise in cases across the country due to the new COVID variant,” said Megan Carlson, IPS health services director.

Since early last year, Indiana ended its requirement for schools to report to the state how many positive COVID-19 cases they had.

Most school districts are now following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for COVID-19 monitoring for K-12 schools, and the protocols for if a student tests positive for COVID-19, which include keeping a student home for at least five days.

Regardless of when a student ends their isolation period, the CDC is recommending that the student wear a mask when around others until at least day 11.

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What COVID vaccines are available

The vaccines manufactured by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech will be updated to target the Omicron variant XBB.1.5, which was the dominant variant this spring and early summer. The variant has since been replaced by others but early research suggests the new vaccines will offer protection against those as well.

Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech are expected to have vaccines ready to be delivered to pharmacies and health centers as soon as a recommendation is issued.

Novavax vaccine ready for delivery

A third vaccine, made by Novavax, is also ready for delivery, though it was not covered by the FDA's action Monday. According to the company, doses of the vaccine, which is protein based and does not use the mRNA technology of the other two, arrived in the United States on Monday.

The FDA is considering emergency authorization for the vaccine in people ages 12 and up.

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How much will the vaccines cost?

Unlike previous years of the pandemic, the government will no longer cover the cost of all COVID-19 vaccinations. People with health insurance should have coverage for the shot, but an estimated 25-30 million Americans who are without insurance might have to pay out of pocket for the $110 to $130 cost per vaccine.

A temporary program offered by the CDC will provide free COVID-19 vaccines for a limited time through a network of providers, which include local healthcare, federally qualified health centers and retail pharmacies. Free vaccines through the Bridge Access Program will not be available after December 2024.

Where to get a COVID vaccine in Marion County.

To find a vaccine near you, visit vaccines.gov. You can also contact your doctor or health care provider or the Marion County Public Health Department.

IndyStar education reporter Caroline Beck contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: COVID vaccine: CDC recommends vaccine for children, adults. Where to get it