Pharmacies across the United States have begun administering new COVID-19 booster formulations from drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna.
Food and Drug Administration approved the revised mRNA vaccine shots on Monday as multiple COVID variants spread and hospitalizations increase. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the shots for all 6 months and older. The vaccine is similar to previously approved formulas, but it was updated to target the XBB variants that became widespread last winter.
Spokesmen for Moderna and Pfizer said people who want to get booster shots can contact pharmacies and hospitals directly to make an appointment.
“Moderna’s updated COVID-19 vaccine is being shipped to major retail pharmacies nationwide, and consumers can contact them directly to make their vaccination appointments,” a Moderna spokesperson said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch.
Pfizer said it has “manufactured this season’s vaccine in advance of the FDA’s decision to ensure supply readiness ahead of the fall and winter seasons. Doses will be available at pharmacies, hospitals and clinics throughout the United States”
Here’s more information on where to get the latest COVID vaccine.
CVS
CVS Wednesday announced that the newly approved vaccines were in stock and available to consumers at its pharmacies.
“Pharmacies and retail medical clinics will begin receiving the new vaccine today and will continue to receive stock throughout the week,” the pharmacy chain said in a statement.
CVS said it expects all pharmacy locations across the United States to have doses of the new vaccine in stock by early next week. You can make an appointment at CVS.com or just come to the most convenient location. If the pharmacies have the vaccine in stock, they accept walk-ins.
Rite-Aid
A Rite-Aid spokesman said it expects to have the updated COVID vaccine in all of its pharmacy locations “soon,” without specifying when.
Customers can schedule appointments from Friday. Walk-ins will be allowed when the vaccine becomes available in its stores.
Walgreens
Walgreens told CBS MoneyWatch that it is now offering jabs at locations nationwide. Consumers can schedule appointments immediately, with the first openings falling Monday next week.
Walgreens may add earlier appointments if vaccine supplies arrive earlier than expected. Doses of both brands’ formulas are currently being shipped to the company’s locations nationwide.
As with previous versions of the COVID-19 vaccine, the shots are available at no cost to consumers.
Because the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended the vaccine for children, the government is required to administer it free of charge to children as well as commercially insured adults.
The federal government’s Bridge Access Program will also cover the cost of shots for the 25 million to 30 million uninsured adults in the United States, according to KFF Health News. The program will pay for pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS to provide shots for free, while Pfizer and Moderna will also donate a certain number of doses, according to the CDC.
Visit Vaccines.gov to identify pharmacies with available doses, as well as those participating in the Bridge Access program.