Doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available at some parish health units which adds to the supply already available at pharmacies and other locations statewide. State Health Officer Joe Kanter says the updated shots target the XBB variant.
“This current update is a more current circulating variant and we’re no longer using the old what’s called the industrial strain or the initial strain of COVID that was identified from Wuhan China.”
The two new vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna received the green light from FOVID that was identified from Wuhan China.”DA and CDC last month. The vaccine shots are available for anyone six months and older, especially those with underlying health conditions.
Kanter says there’s been an increase in cases and hospitalizations in the Bayou State.
“COVID rates are elevated right now in Louisiana. We are coming down from a surge. This is our eighth surge but it’s going to take some time to level out as it always does. So there’s more COVID being spread right now.”
Kanter says most health insurance plans will cover COVID-19 vaccines at no cost. He points out the vaccine will be updated regularly.
“This is the first time that we’ve transitioned to the new annual plan for the COVID vaccine. So we anticipate there’ll be a new COVID vaccine available each year like there is for the flu vaccine.”
To find a location near you, visit vaccines.gov.
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