COVID boosters

There's high demand for this fall's COVID shots, which offer protection against circulating variants of omicron. But there's been some distribution hiccups. Rogelio V. Solis/AP hide caption

Experts say the new COVID boosters are a much closer match to currently circulating variants than prior vaccines and boosters. Frederick J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Another round of COVID-19 vaccines is on the way. The Food and Drug Administration approved vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna that target an omicron subvariant called XBB.1.5. Vaccination campaigns, like this one in San Rafael, Calif., in 2022, could resume soon. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

Even though the uptake of the omicron booster has been lackluster, federal officials have decided some adults can get a second shot. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

The new COVID boosters rolling out this month represent a shift in strategy, said White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha during a press briefing. The goal now will likely be to roll out new boosters annually. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images hide caption

Gearing up for fall, health officials are recommending a new round of booster shots. Rogelio V. Solis/AP hide caption

Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, attends a Senate hearing in Washington last July. She spoke to NPR shortly after the CDC recommended updated booster shots. Stefani Reynolds/Pool/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

The FDA is trying to make "bivalent" COVID vaccines, which target two different antigens, available as soon as September. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

The FDA has authorized second booster shots for people over 50 and for some people who are immunocompromised. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption