A boost for COVID boosters

The protein particles E, S and M are highlighted in this illustration of the COVID virus. Credit: cdc.gov

The FDA and CDC are making it easier for people to get vaccinated against COVID, and that’s good news.

Here are the highlights:

The bivalent booster, the newest booster that we started to use in last fall, now is the only vaccine that's approved in the United States. Either the Pfizer or the Moderna version has the original Wuhan strain and the omicron strain.

A second booster is approved for people aged 65 and older. They can get that booster four months after their first booster.

Someone of any age who has an underlying illnesses such as HIV, cancer, is taking chemotherapy or has other chronic conditions also can get this booster. These people can get a second booster two months after their first booster.

More good news: It’s now easier to get vaccinated in the first place. For adults just starting out, they’ll get one dose of the booster.

Things keep getting better. A new bivalent booster is expected this fall and will be given with the flu shot. It’ll be a separate vaccine. At some point, COVID and flu vaccines will be combined, but we’re not there yet.

I know I lie about my age, but for this occasion I’m going with the 65-and-older group. I had my first bivalent booster in September. Now it’s May. Since the second booster should be at least four months after the last one, it's time.

I also will get the newer booster in the fall of this year with my flu shot.

The only difference for people with underlying illnesses is that they can have their second booster two months after the first one.

I’ve said it so many times, but it’s true. We need to stop virus spread, and this new, simpler protocol will help us accomplish the goal.