Local doctor weighs in on FDA proposal for yearly COVID boosters amid latest variant surge

Syracuse, NY — A big step towards an annual COVID vaccine shot could begin Thursday when an FDA advisory panel meets to discuss ways to simplify the vaccine plan process. COVID may soon be protected against similarly to the flu with an annual booster delivered in the fall. Doctors will pinpoint what strands to target for the vaccine, just like the current flu vaccine process.

From the Story:

Dr. Philip Falcone, the chief medical officer at St. Joseph's Health said, “They will look at what the prevailing virus mutation is at that time and create a vaccine that will help to fight that particular variant its very much like what we’re doing currently with the flu.”

Doctors hope the easier vaccine regimen will prompt more people to roll up their sleeves. Only 15 percent of the eligible population have received the latest bivalent booster.

Despite a potential move away from current vaccine protocols, doctors don’t want people to let their guard down.

“If you haven’t already been vaccinated, it probably does make sense to do that and I think everybody should take a personal risk assessment and decide what they need to do next in terms of masking and other things,” he said.

Click here to view the CNYCentral story.

Syracuse, NY — A big step towards an annual COVID vaccine shot could begin Thursday when an FDA advisory panel meets to discuss ways to simplify the vaccine plan process. COVID may soon be protected against similarly to the flu with an annual booster delivered in the fall. Doctors will pinpoint what strands to target for the vaccine, just like the current flu vaccine process.

From the Story:

Dr. Philip Falcone, the chief medical officer at St. Joseph's Health said, “They will look at what the prevailing virus mutation is at that time and create a vaccine that will help to fight that particular variant its very much like what we’re doing currently with the flu.”

Doctors hope the easier vaccine regimen will prompt more people to roll up their sleeves. Only 15 percent of the eligible population have received the latest bivalent booster.

Despite a potential move away from current vaccine protocols, doctors don’t want people to let their guard down.

“If you haven’t already been vaccinated, it probably does make sense to do that and I think everybody should take a personal risk assessment and decide what they need to do next in terms of masking and other things,” he said.

Click here to view the CNYCentral story.