Covid-19 remains at a low level in the United States. However, figures from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that infections have increased in recent weeks. This is reflected in testing data and wastewater monitoring, among other indicators.
At the same time, US vaccination recommendations have changed.
Last autumn, the Trump administration moved away from recommending coronavirus vaccination for everyone. The Guardian wrote that the change created uncertainty over who could receive the vaccine.
According to The Guardian, the CDC now recommends that vaccination decisions be based on each person's individual circumstances.
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Insurance coverage is uncertain
No new recommendations have yet been issued for the 2026-27 vaccine season.
According to The Guardian, the CDC's vaccine advisory panel has been unable to operate since March following a court ruling.
This has also created uncertainty over insurance coverage. US insurers are normally required to cover vaccines recommended by the panel.
Without a recommendation from the panel, it is unclear whether insurers will cover the updated vaccines, according to The Guardian.
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New vaccines approved
The most significant development came on Thursday. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved updated coronavirus vaccines from Moderna, Novavax-Sanofi and Pfizer-BioNTech.
The vaccines target XFG, which is the dominant variant.
According to The Guardian and Reuters, manufacturers can begin shipping the vaccines to pharmacies and doctors across the United States following the approval.
The vaccines are approved for people aged 65 and older.
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They are also approved for younger people with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe covid-19.
The age threshold for this group depends on which vaccine is used.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.