New COVID-19 vaccine arrives in Green Bay on Sept. 18

GREEN BAY – The new COVID-19 vaccine are expected to start rolling out today in Green Bay .

The updated vaccine was authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention established guidelines for it last week. Shipments of the vaccines started getting delivered around the country in the days after.

The FDA referred to the new doses as a vaccine that was updated to offer better protection instead of calling it a booster.

Here is what you need to know about the updated vaccines as you start making your appointments to get one.

Am I eligible for a shot?

The updated vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older, though the number of doses varies. At least one dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for all individuals 5 years and older. 

• If you are 65 or older, you can get another dose at least four months after getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
• If you are immunocompromised, you can get another dose at least two months after getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
• Kids younger than 5 getting the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna updated vaccine will need additional doses — that amount will depend on if and how many doses they got of the original vaccine.

The list of guidelines can be found on the CDC’s website.

Do I have to pay for it?

Health insurance plans will cover the cost of the vaccine from in-network providers, so you will need to bring your insurance card. The vaccine will also be covered under Medicare and Medicaid programs.

For those who not insured, the cost of the vaccines will be covered by a new CDC initiative called the Bridge Access Program that runs until the end of next year.

Where can I get it?

All COVID-19 vaccination sites can be found at vaccines.gov by entering a ZIP code.

Some pharmacies and health systems are still expecting shipments of the updated vaccine to come in, though they should begin giving shots throughout the next few days.

Local Walgreens pharmacies began administering today. CVS pharmacies in Green Bay opened appointments for slots starting Tuesday.

As of Friday, Walmart, Metro Market, and Pick N Save pharmacies in Green Bay had not started scheduling appointments for the vaccine. Bellin and Aurora Health Care clinics have not started administering shots, either.

Does it offer protection against new variants?

The shot was updated to to target XBB.1.5, an omicron subvariant. Although omicron is no longer the most common variant of the virus that is currently circulating, the updated vaccine also provide some protection against EG.5 — or known as Eris — which is now the dominant variant in the U.S., according to the CDC.

I just had COVID. Can I get a vaccine right away?

If you’ve gotten a booster shot or were infected with COVID-19 recently, you should wait for two to three months before getting the updated vaccine.

More:What to know about getting the new COVID-19 vaccine for kids

Can I get it at the same time as my flu shot and RSV vaccine?

It is safe to get the update COVID vaccine and flu shot at the same time.

RSV vaccines, which are new this year, are only recommended for some children younger than 19 months and people older than 60. Some health experts say you should space out when you get the RSV and COVID shots. People should talk to their health professional to determine if and when they should get an RSV shot.

More:Appleton, Green Bay areas see slight bump in COVID cases as new booster shot will soon be available

Benita Mathew is a health and science reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. Contact her at bmathew@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @benita_mathew.

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