Up-To-Date Information 2024-2025: Covid, Flu, Pneumonia, and RSV Vaccines Available

As we head into the fall of 2024, Americans will have access to four crucial vaccines to protect against the major respiratory viruses: an updated Covid-19 booster, the annual flu shot, pneumonia and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccines for older adults. Health experts are urging everyone to get vaccinated ahead of what is expected to be a rough respiratory season.

The CDC recommends the 2024-2025 updated Covid-19 vaccines to protect against serious illness. Everyone aged 5 and older should receive one dose of an updated vaccine. Children aged 6 months to 4 years may need multiple doses, including at least one updated dose. Those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may require additional doses. People aged 65 and older should get an additional updated dose at least four months after their previous one. Staying up to date with vaccinations significantly lowers the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from Covid-19.

For the 2024-2025 season, all flu vaccines in the United States are expected to be trivalent. These will be replacing the use of quadrivalent vaccines seen in previous years. The upcoming vaccine protects against three flu viruses: an A(H1N1) virus, an A(H3N2) virus, and a B/Victoria virus. Both trivalent and quadrivalent vaccines are anticipated to offer similar protection. Since B/Yamagata viruses haven't circulated since March 2020, the protection from both vaccine types is expected to be equivalent.

A combined flu and Covid shot is now in the late trial stages. The vaccine is made by Moderna and has shown promising results in its final stages of testing. This single vaccine will protect against both viruses, making it much easier to keep up with your vaccinations. By rolling the Covid-19 booster and the annual flu shot into one, it aims to increase vaccination rates and cut down on the hassle of multiple doctor visits. Health experts are hopeful that this combined shot will help more people stay protected and reduce the spread of these illnesses. If everything goes well, this combo vaccine could be ready for the upcoming flu season.

In a significant move to enhance public health, the FDA has recently expanded the age approval for the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine. Previously recommended for older adults, the RSV vaccine Arexvy by GSK is now approved by the FDA for at-risk individuals aged 50 and older. This expanded age approval aims to protect a broader segment of the population from RSV, a virus that can cause severe respiratory illness. However, this change will only be fully implemented once it receives approval from the CDC and ACIP. At this time, the expanded age approval applies specifically to GSK’s Arexvy and not to Pfizer's Abrysvo. Once it is approved by the CDC and ACIP, Kohll’s Rx will promptly make the Arexvy vaccine available. Pfizer’s announced in April that Abrysvo had positive top line results for the MONeT (RSV Immunization Study for Adults at Higher Risk of Severe Illness). A clinical trial which evaluated Abrysvo’s immunogenicity and safety data in adults aged 18-59 at increased risk of for RSV.; Pfizer submitted the full data to the FDA from the 18-59 population and anticipate an approval as early as Q4 2024.

In addition to getting the covid, flu, and RSV vaccine, health experts also recommend getting the pneumococcal vaccine (Prevnar 20). Prevnar 20 is a vaccine designed to prevent disease caused by pneumococcal bacteria. It contains 20 different types of pneumococcal bacteria and helps the body develop immunity to these strains. The vaccine is administered to children at 2, 4, 6, and 12 through 15 months old, as well as to older children and adults who need protection. Criteria to receive this vaccine are as follows:

For Adults:

• Age 65 and older: All adults in this age group are recommended to receive a dose of Prevnar 20.
• Age 19-64: Adults in this age range with certain underlying medical conditions or risk factors, such as chronic heart, lung, or liver disease, diabetes, alcoholism, smoking, immunocompromising conditions, asplenia or splenic dysfunction, cochlear implants, or cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

For Children:

• Children younger than 2 years: Prevnar 20 is typically administered in a series of doses at 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months of age.
• Children aged 2-5 years: Unvaccinated children or those who have not completed the series and have certain medical conditions should receive Prevnar 20.

According to the CDC, RSV hospitalizes up to 175,000 people aged 65 and older each year, leading to approximately 12,000 deaths. With the new Covid variant spreading rampantly throughout the U.S, Covid-related hospitalizations have seen an increase. These rising trends underscore the importance of timely vaccination to mitigate severe illness and hospitalizations during the upcoming respiratory virus season.

It takes approximately two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body, making it crucial to get your respiratory vaccines early, before seasonal activity begins. For convenience, it is possible to receive the Covid booster, RSV vaccine, and flu shot simultaneously.

Senior care centers, assisted living facilities, and skilled nursing homes often partner with companies like Kohll’s Rx to administer all three vaccinations to their residents. Kohll’s Rx is authorized to administer vaccines without a prescription, offering a simple and convenient way to protect the elderly population.

As we approach the fall and winter seasons, ensuring timely vaccination against Covid-19, flu, and RSV is crucial for protecting public health. With these vaccines readily available, Americans can safeguard themselves and their loved ones against these significant respiratory threats.

Schedule a Vaccination Appointment with Kohll's Rx