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Tuesday

When Should I Get My Omicron Booster Shot?
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Short Wave

When Should I Get My Omicron Booster Shot?

Updated COVID boosters are now available that target the Omicron subvariant and many Americans 12 and older are eligible for the shot. Host Emily Kwong and health correspondent Allison Aubrey talk about who should get it, when, and whether there's a case to be made for skipping this booster.

When Should I Get My Omicron Booster Shot?

Listen · 10:49
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Tuesday

The new COVID booster could be the last you'll need for a year, federal officials say

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

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Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

The new COVID booster could be the last you'll need for a year, federal officials say

The COVID-19 vaccine strategy may be shifting toward Americans getting yearly vaccinations, like many do with annual flu shots.

The new COVID booster could be the last you'll need for a year, federal officials say

Listen · 3:46
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Monday

Omicron boosters: Do I need one, and if so, when?

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

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Rogelio V. Solis/AP

Shots - Health News

Omicron boosters: Do I need one, and if so, when?

Updated COVID boosters are now available for anyone age 12 or older. The CDC is urging anyone who is eligible to sign up but some vaccine experts say some people might want to wait.

Omicron boosters: Do I need one, and if so, when?

Listen · 6:15
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Friday

There's no bad time to get a new COVID booster if you're eligible, CDC director says

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

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Stefani Reynolds/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Health

There's no bad time to get a new COVID booster if you're eligible, CDC director says

People can get the Moderna booster if they're 18 or older, and the Pfizer-BioNTech version if they're 12 and up. In both cases, they must wait at least two months since their last COVID vaccine.

There's no bad time to get a new COVID booster if you're eligible, CDC director says

Listen · 5:31
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Wednesday

FDA authorizes first revamp of COVID vaccines to target omicron

Vials of the newly reformulated COVID-19 vaccine booster are being readied by Pfizer for distribution now that the Food and Drug Administration has authorized the shots for people 12 and older. Pfizer Inc. hide caption

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Pfizer Inc.

Shots - Health News

FDA authorizes first revamp of COVID vaccines to target omicron

The new shots from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech target both the original strain of the coronavirus and the omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariants that most people are catching now.

Tuesday

Reformulated COVID vaccine boosters may be available earlier than expected

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

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Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Reformulated COVID vaccine boosters may be available earlier than expected

The Biden administration may scrap plans to expand eligibility for second boosters to younger adults. Instead, it's trying to speed up the next generation of boosters targeting the omicron variant.

Reformulated COVID vaccine boosters may be available earlier than expected

Listen · 3:38
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Wednesday

Do I really need another booster? The answer depends on age, risk and timing

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

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Do I really need another booster? The answer depends on age, risk and timing

Health officials argue the protection of the COVID vaccine booster wanes over time and say some people need a second booster. But other infectious disease experts say three shots are enough for now.

Do I really need another booster? The answer depends on age, risk and timing

Listen · 3:31
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