The Updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccines Are on the Way
Updated Vaccine Expected in New York City Later This Week, Offering Locations will be Available at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder
CDC Recommends Everyone 6-Months and Older Should Get Updated Vaccine
September 13, 2023 — The Health Department today announced that the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines will soon be available at pharmacies, clinics and local providers. New Yorkers should look on nyc.gov/vaccinefinder for convenient locations where the vaccine will be available, or check with their provider or local pharmacy.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness. The updated COVID-19 vaccines are designed to protect against currently circulating variants and provide an important boost to people’s protection against the virus -- which is especially important as we head into the fall/winter respiratory virus season. The website will be updated on a rolling basis, as vaccine becomes available. People should check back regularly for updates.
“As COVID-19 changes, so does the formula for the vaccine, and this year’s edition will help protect us,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “The vaccine is lifesaving, especially for people who are older, pregnant or have underlying health conditions. Even if COVID-19 does not become life-threatening, vaccination can be the difference between a mild course of illness and something much more unpleasant and serious. Either way, the vaccine works for us all. I’ll be pairing my COVID-19 vaccine with a flu shot, as I did last year, and recommend you do the same. And I’m especially excited that this is the first fall virus season when vaccines for COVID-19, RSV and flu are available — which are the conditions that typically keep our emergency rooms busy in the fall and winter. This year we have all of the tools we need to get through this viral season healthy and well.”
Because the virus changes and adapts, the vaccine also gets updated periodically. Also, people’s protection against the virus lessens over time. For these reasons, everyone who is 6-months or older should get vaccinated, even if they have been vaccinated before. Vaccination also reduces the risk of having Long COVID, potentially debilitating symptoms that can last for months or longer after infection. Moreover, the vaccine can help reduce the duration and severity of COVID-19 symptoms if you become infected.
While healthy people can also become very sick from COVID-19, the vaccine is more likely to be lifesaving for:
- Those who are 65 or older,
- Those who are pregnant,
- People with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk for severe outcomes,
- People with certain disabilities that may increase their risk for having underlying chronic conditions or immunodeficiency.
Most people’s insurance — including Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial health plans — will fully cover the cost of vaccination. Vaccines are also available through the New York City Health Department and partners, for people who are uninsured or whose insurance doesn’t cover vaccination, regardless of immigration status. Sites offering no-cost vaccine to uninsured individuals will be included on Vaccine Finder next week.
People can also search Vaccine Finder for sites offering flu vaccine. It is safe to get both vaccines at the same time.
The COVID-19 vaccines will be available at community health centers, urgent care facilities, provider’s offices, chain pharmacies, like CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Duane Reade, and at many independent pharmacies. Check with your health care provider to see if they are offering vaccine. You can also check with your local pharmacy to confirm if they are offering the vaccines and if they vaccinate children and the age range they can serve.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Patrick Gallahue
PressOffice@health.nyc.gov