We asked experts where and when you should get them, and how to lessen the side effects.
New Covid-19 vaccines, which can help protect against the most common variants of the virus currently circulating, are now widely available.
Doctors say that some people may want to wait until October to get a shot, so they can get vaccinated against flu at the same time and have better protection this winter. But people who are at higher risk for getting seriously sick from Covid, including those who are pregnant, 65 and older or have underlying medical conditions, likely want to get vaccinated as soon as they can. Here’s what to know about the new shots.
Where can I get vaccinated?
There are now three updated vaccines available: one from Moderna, one from Pfizer and one from Novavax. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are both formulated to target KP.2, a strain of the virus that is very similar to the variants that are now spreading widely. The shot from Novavax is formulated to target JN.1, an earlier strain of the virus that is also close to the dominant strains.
You can find all three vaccines in pharmacies, doctors’ offices and other health centers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an online directory where you can locate pharmacies near you.
Can I get a shot for free?
Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans cover the cost of adult Covid vaccinations. Children can get the shots at no cost through the Vaccines for Children program. Community health clinics may offer free or low-cost shots to people who do not have insurance, or whose insurance plans do not cover the costs of vaccination.
I woke up feeling sick. Should I cancel my vaccine appointment?
If you wake up with a sore throat, sniffles or any other Covid symptoms, take an at-home test, said Dr. Donald Dumford, an infectious disease specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. If you’re positive, cancel your appointment and stay home. You can wait at least three months after you recover to get an updated vaccine, since the infection will give you a boost of antibodies. You should also reschedule your appointment if you have a fever, since the shot’s side effects may make you feel even worse. If you test negative for Covid and feel only mildly under the weather, you can go ahead and still get vaccinated, Dr. Dumford said.