As kids head back to school, COVID-19 booster targets new variant
A new COVID-19 booster shot is set to roll out across the country next month.
Healthcare leaders say it targets a new variant driving up COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
The New York Times reports, in June, an advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration recommended the next booster target the omicron XBB.1.5 variant.
CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen said the new booster to target this variant should be approved by the third week of September, coming just a few weeks after kids start school.
The latest national data from the CDC shows COVID-19 hospitalizations are up 14% over the past week. While that percentage is well below peak pandemic levels, it is a marked increase.
Cohen said the new booster will target a highly transmissible new variant that's driving increased spread. The CDC has already approved boosters for children older than 5 and maintains that the shots are safe and effective for children.
Some parents told WRAL News they plan to follow the recommendations of their pediatrician and are open to their kids getting the latest shot.
Others are more hesitant.
"I would definitely be way more concerned about a lifelong heart condition, as opposed to them maybe getting COVID-19 for a week and maybe being out of school for a week," said Cristina Spears, a Wake County parent.
CDC data shows, in extremely rare cases, children have developed severe heart conditions such as myocarditis after getting vaccinated,
The rate is about 70 cases per 1 million doses in boys ages 12 to 15.
Overall, the CDC said COVID-19 vaccines are considered safe for children and teens.
