Have you been wondering, “When will the new 2024 COVID vaccine be available?” The short answer is: It’s here. But even though the “fall vaccine” has been approved much earlier this year than the 2023 COVID vaccine was, just like last year it may take a while for these shots to become widely available to the public. On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed off on these updated COVID vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer (also known as Comirnaty), which should start to roll out across the United States in the coming weeks — as the 2024 summer wave of infections continues around the country.
Earlier this year, the CDC recommended that the updated shots be available to everyone age 6 months and older through pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and Safeway, as well as health care providers, county public health departments and community clinics. These COVID vaccines usually become available at pharmacies first, because pharmacies take their cue from the federal government and not the state — but with vaccines needing to be shipped, it might still be a while before vaccinations are available. For example, CVS is currently offering appointments for the new COVID vaccine starting no earlier than late August, and Walgreens is similarly offering appointments that begin September 6.
Remember: Unlike previous rounds of the vaccine, the FDA and the CDC stopped calling these updated shots “boosters” in 2023 — so you won’t see that language online aro.