The latest COVID-19 vaccine is rolling out. Here’s what you need to know

• New vaccines will be available as early as Wednesday, a Michigan health official said
• This comes as the Biden administration announces a September relaunch of its free test kit program
• Officials recommend getting the new vaccine, covered by all insurers, to protect yourself and others

Michigan residents will have access to a new COVID-19 vaccine soon.

The new vaccine more effectively fights the newest variants of the virus, said Lori Schrader, Washtenaw County’s immunization coordinator.

The newest jabs will be available ahead of the relaunch of a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services free COVID test-kit program. Kits can be ordered at the click of a button in late September at COVIDtests.gov.

Here’s what experts like Schrader say you should know about the new vaccine:

Why is this shot different from previous COVID vaccines?

The virus is constantly changing. These new vaccines are formulated for the prevalent omicron variant KP.2. Like previous vaccines, these will be produced by Moderna (called SpikeVax) and Pfizer (Comirnaty).

Although these vaccines more closely match what is circulating now, Schrader said, the virus will continue to evolve and require new ones, like with the flu.

Should I get the shot?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention generally recommends individuals 6 months of age and older receive at least one dose of the updated vaccine. Most people over the age of 5 will just need one dose of the updated vaccine. Children under age 5 who have not been previously vaccinated may need up to three doses. Anyone who is moderately or severely immunocompromised may need additional doses as well. Doses are given several weeks apart.

Related:

• New COVID-19 vaccine arriving in Michigan. Here’s what to know
• Michigan back-to-school COVID, flu vaccine requirements, and RSV too

Schrader’s advice is simple: Get vaccinated to protect yourself and others. COVID-19 has killed over 40,000 Michigan residents, state data shows. 

While over 62% of Michiganders have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine, only 12.5% of residents are up-to-date on their vaccinations.

“We just want to reduce the number of people who get sick so that we can hopefully have fewer lost work hours, less school absences and keep everyone healthy,” she said.

Although COVID-19 cases aren’t being nationally tracked through individual testing, August wastewater surveillance data indicates Michigan is experiencing the highest number of cases since January.

How does this work with the flu shot?

Schrader and the FDA advise getting COVID-19, flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) shots for what they are calling the upcoming “respiratory season.”

The three vaccines are widely available, she said. They can safely be taken together and don’t interfere with one another in the body.

Where and when will the new COVID-19 shot be available?

Schrader said the vaccine starts shipping to pharmacies, clinics and hospitals next week, and patients can expect it to be available as early as Wednesday.

“Be patient while we go through this rollout,” she said. “We're doing our best to get them available as soon as we can.”

To find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you, visit this website.

When should I get it?

The answer is not as straightforward as it once was.

The simple answer is the sooner, the better – “in as timely a manner as possible,” Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, told National Public Radio in an interview.

But if you’ve had COVID recently, it’s best to wait a month or two, Marks said.

And some experts previously have suggested getting flu shots, for example, later in the fall so that you have the maximum protection over the holidays or for a vacation.

What does the COVID vaccine cost?

COVID-19 vaccines are available to Medicare and Medicaid-enrolled patients for free, Michigan Association of Health Plans spokesperson Brian Mills said.

Commercial insurers completely cover the vaccine through in-network health care providers, he said, and Mills recommends you confirm the network status to prevent having to pay out-of-pocket.

The vaccine can cost upward of $120 to $200 without coverage, depending on the dosage and supply of the provider, Schrader said. 

The uninsured are eligible for free shots. 

Do I need new COVID test kits if I have old ones? 

The federal government has provided more than 1.8 billion free over-the-counter COVID tests to Americans since 2021. The program was discontinued in May, but families can again get free kits starting in late September, even if they have ordered kits before.

Many people may have old kits in a bathroom drawer, but those tests carry expiration dates. The FDA does not recommend using at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests beyond their authorized expiration dates because there are parts that may degrade over time. That being said, some expiration dates have been extended. You can check the Expiration Date column of the list of Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests to see if the expiration date for your at-home COVID-19 test has been extended and how to find the  new expiration date.

Is the new shot required for my child to attend public school?

No. In Michigan, any change to the K-12 school vaccine requirements must go through the Legislature's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.

In 2023, doctors told Bridge they still recommend COVID and flu boosters, though those viruses aren’t usually life-threatening for healthy kids.

Editor's note: This story was updated Aug. 26, 2024, to clarify the CDC's vaccine recommendations.