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When and where can New Yorkers get the latest COVID vaccine?
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Aug 28, 2024
Modified Aug 28, 2024
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Spencer Platt/Getty Images
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Aug 28, 2024
Modified Aug 28, 2024
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It’s that time of year again.
New York City pharmacies and doctors’ offices are starting to get shipments of the latest COVID vaccine after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it earlier this month.
This formulation of the shot is tailored to newer variants of the virus and is recommended for anyone over 6 months old, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Although getting vaccinated against COVID may seem less critical than it did when the first shots came out at the end of 2020, health care providers say the shots are still an important tool to guard against infection and prevent severe symptoms if you do catch the virus.
“Every year, you will need an updated COVID vaccine because COVID continues to change,” said Dr. Sybil Hodgson, chief of clinical services for Montefiore Medical Group, the physician network associated with Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. “It doesn't stay dormant. It doesn't stay the same.”
Here’s what New Yorkers need to know about getting vaccinated against COVID this season.
When and where will the vaccine be available in NYC?
Many pharmacies and doctors’ offices are still waiting to receive the new COVID vaccine, but it’s already available in some locations and likely to be widely accessible by early September.
CVS is now taking walk-ins or appointments for the vaccine, the pharmacy chain announced Wednesday. At Walgreens, the updated shots will be available starting on Sept. 6, and patients can start making appointments online now, said spokesperson Fernanda Sinzato.
“I’m hoping that shortly after Labor Day, we should have everything ready,” Hodgson said, adding that patients who call now can be added to a waitlist for the vaccine.
New York City’s Vaccine Finder website didn’t have any locations listed for a COVID shot as of Tuesday, but the site will be updated as health care providers receive shipments, said Patrick Gallahue, a spokesperson for the city health department.
“We encourage anyone to continue to check Vaccine Finder or reach out to their providers and pharmacies to see when they will have the vaccine available,” Gallahue said.
Will the vaccine be free for everyone?
Most insurance plans are required under federal law to cover vaccines without any out-of-pocket costs for patients, although some plans may charge patients a copay if the provider is out of network. Last year, the Biden administration had to send out a notice reminding health plans of their COVID vaccine coverage obligations.
Anyone without insurance should inquire with their health care provider ahead of time about whether they will have to pay out of pocket for a COVID shot, since the federal Bridge Access Program providing free shots for those who are uninsured expires this month.
Safety-net providers such as NYC Health and Hospitals and federally funded community health centers are more likely than chain pharmacies to be able to provide free or low-cost options for low-income patients who are uninsured.
“NYC Health and Hospitals takes care of all New Yorkers without exception, and that includes vaccination,” said Christopher Miller, a spokesperson for the health system.
For a patient paying out of pocket, the new COVID shot will cost about $200, said Thibault, the spokesperson for CVS.
Should I get vaccinated right away?
New York’s summer COVID surge is already past its peak, but there were still 645 daily cases reported, on average, last week, according to city data.
Getting vaccinated now will provide protection against the waning summer surge as well as the wave that’s likely to come this winter, said Andy Pekosz, an immunology professor at Johns Hopkins University who studies respiratory diseases.
However, those who have recently recovered from COVID may consider delaying their shot by three months, according to the CDC.
“The immunity from your infection will provide protection from a reinfection so the vaccine really isn’t needed,” Pekosz said.
Those getting vaccinated against COVID now should get their flu shots at the same time, Hodgson recommended.
Will the new vaccine protect against the latest variants?
The latest vaccine was developed to protect against a COVID strain known as KP.2, which city data shows accounted for about 23% of the cases in New York City as of mid-August.
KP.2 is “very closely related to most of the variants that are circulating right now,” said Pekosz, although he noted that it’s impossible to get a perfect match as the virus continues to evolve.
Pekosz added that it’s especially important to get the updated version of the COVID shot this year because the variants that are going around are very different from the ones targeted by last year’s vaccine.
Bonus: What about COVID tests?
Even if you’re vaccinated, it’s a good idea to have some at-home COVID tests on hand, just in case, Hodgson advises.
The Biden administration is revamping its free test kit program. Starting at the end of September, every U.S. household should be able to order four free tests online.
Update: This story has been updated to note that CVS announced Wednesday its COVID vaccines are now available.
Tagged
new york city
COVID-19
Caroline Lewis
Caroline Lewis is on the health care beat for WNYC and Gothamist. She has covered COVID, a nurses' strike, the overdose crisis and New York’s marijuana legalization effort, and spent a year investigating patients' medical bills. She always wants to hear about how everyday New Yorkers experience the health system. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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