A lot of avoidable needless disease burden, especially as we enter the winter months.
Boosters aren't just important for older adults, all ages benefit from being up to date on vaccination. And the new Omicron-specific bivalent boosters better target the circulating strains.
For all ages, the benefits of vaccination and boosting outweigh the risks.
The CDC's advisory committee ACIP voted unanimously to add the coronavirus vaccine to the vaccine schedules for adults and kids.
Despite what some conservatives and anti-vaxxers are suggesting this doesn't mean these vaccines are now mandated. There are vaccines on the schedule that aren't part of vaccine mandates, such as the annual influenza vaccine. And in any case ACIP does not have any control over school vaccination policies which are set by local jurisdictions.
Hopefully this will encourage more primary care providers to make sure their patients are up to date. There are a lot of people, particularly children, that aren't up to date on their coronavirus vaccination.
Novavax is now available as a monovalent coronavirus booster for adults 18 and older. Note this is not updated for the Omicron variant. This is only available to those who can't or won't receive a mRNA booster. And only if you haven't already received a booster.
Novavax's updated Omicron-specific vaccine is expected before the end of the year. I like the Novavax vaccine, but I think you should get the updated Omicron-specific bivalent mRNA boosters if you are able. They better target the circulating strains.