New COVID vaccines are coming. Here's what you should know about the 2023 boosters

Lisa is a senior editor for GBH News. She oversees the news content that gets onto our website and manages a small team of reporters and producers. Feedback? Questions? Story ideas? Reach out to Lisa at lisa_wardle@wgbh.org.

Alexi Cohan is a producer on Greater Boston. She is from East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and currently lives in the Boston area.

September 13, 2023

There's a new COVID-19 vaccine.

The Food and Drug Administration approved booster shots from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech this week. The new formulas target the XBB.1.5 variant, which was the dominant strain earlier in 2023 but has since become less prevalent. But just because XBB.1.5 is less common now does not mean the vaccine will be ineffective, doctors say.

Here's what you need to know.

Who is recommended to get this fall booster?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday issued its recommendation that everyone ages 6 months and older should get one of the new shots.

The CDC says if you haven't received a COVID-19 vaccine in the last two months, now is the time to do so.

You can get a flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.

When does the new COVID-19 vaccine come out?

Updated boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna will be available as soon as this week.

A GBH News review of CVS and Walgreens websites on Tuesday night showed appointments in the Boston area beginning Sept. 18.

Where can I find a COVID-19 vaccine near me?

You can search for nearby COVID-19 vaccine providers at vaccines.gov. The tool allows you to narrow results by manufacturer as well as by patient age.

You can also search for available appointments at major pharmacies, like CVS and Walgreens.

To find a nearby provider via phone, you can call 1-800-232-0233 or text your ZIP code to 438829.

How effective is it against new variants?

The vaccine has been independently tested against new COVID-19 variants and studies show that the shot generates strong immunity and a high level of antibodies against currently circulating strains, Dr. Cassandra Pierre, medical director of public health programs at Boston Medical Center, said on Greater Boston.

Moderna's data showed its new formula protects against both the EG.5 and FL.1.5.1 subvariants. Pfizer reported that its fall booster has shown effectiveness against EG.5 and BA2.86.

"Moderna and Pfizer have independently evaluated the effect of this recently formulated vaccine against newer circulating variants. ... There is strong immunity produced, or at least a high number of antibodies produced, with the new vaccine. So that is reassuring," said Pierre.