Federal regulatory body approves revised Covid-19 jabs from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech partners
Moderna and Pfizer have announced that their Covid-19 vaccines will be readily available at pharmacies and clinics in the near future. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested in June that individuals aged 6 months and above should receive both a new Covid-19 booster shot and a flu vaccine this year.
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The quantity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for Covid-19, as measured in wastewater, has reached "extremely high" levels nationally, according to CDC information, signaling the highest summer peak in the US since July 2022. Tracking the virus's viral load in wastewater can provide insights into its prevalence as testing and other monitoring methods have dwindled. Additionally, indicators of severe illness, such as hospitalization and mortality rates, have been increasing, the CDC reports, although they are nowhere near the levels seen in previous years.
The predominant strain in the US currently is KP.3.1.1, as per CDC data, estimated to account for 37% of cases over the past fortnight. This is a tripling of its prevalence from a month ago. KP.3.1.1 and KP.2, comprising the updated mRNA vaccines' strain, are both offshoots of JN.1, the target of Novavax's vaccine. All of them are versions of the Omicron variant.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Maintaining good health during this period is crucial, given the rise in Covid-19 cases and indicators of severe illness. Regular vaccinations, including the new Covid-19 booster and the annual flu vaccine, are recommended by health authorities.
