A new COVID vaccine is due out next month, but health experts and analysts say it is likely to be coolly received even as hospitalizations from "Eris", a variant of the Omicron form of the coronavirus, rise around the country.

Some public health experts hope that Americans will welcome the new shot as they would a flu jab. But demand for the vaccine has dropped sharply since 2021 when it first became available and more than 240 million people in the U.S., or 73% of the population, received at least one shot.

In the fall of 2022, by which time most people had either had the COVID virus or the vaccine, fewer than 50 million people got the shots.

  • EnderWi99in@kbin.social
    23·
    1 year ago

    It would be nice if they could package an annual booster with the flu shot, though I’m not sure of there are interaction issues. I got them both at the same time last year though and just had a mild cramp in my arm which is pretty typical for a flu shot on its own.

    Eris fortunately doesn’t appear to be more virulent than omicron was, but also doesn’t seem to be weaking further as was the trend for the last few varients. It seems mutation with increased transmission over time seems to be the trend.

    Just add it to the annual flu list and make your choice as to whether you want to get your shot every year or not. Not a big deal.

    • IHeartBadCode@kbin.social
      16·
      1 year ago

      Next year. Should have combo shots next year. The hope was to have them ready this year, but we’ll be in the middle of flu season this year when they’re expected to be approved.

      Of course with anything, unexpected things can derail that plan, but everything stay the course, one shot should be next year.

      Various factors can play on if the place you go to will have the combo shot though, so there’s that too.