Who is Eligible for the new COVID-19 vaccine?
As of early 2025, the CDC recommends that all individuals aged 6 months and older receive the most
recent
updated COVID-19 vaccine, especially as new variants emerge. Adults 65 years and older are specifically
encouraged to receive an additional dose of the updated 2024–2025 vaccine at least 4 months after their
previous dose for stronger protection.
Can I get my Flu shot or RSV and the new COVID vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) at same time?
Flu vaccine can be administered together with COVID-19 Vaccine. If not taken together, then it’s
recommended
to wait 1 to 2 weeks between the shots to differentiate the side effects or any reaction. It’s not a
requirement to have a wait period between the shots.
Are RSV (Arexvy or Abrysvo), Flu, Shingrix (Shingles), Pneumonia (Prevnar 20), Tdap (Boostrix),
and COVID-19 vaccines free with my insurance?
All the vaccines are free for Medicare recipients. COVID, flu, and pneumonia are covered by Medicare
Part B,
while the rest are covered by Medicare Part D. If you have Medicare Advantage, then all vaccines are
covered
under that plan. Most commercial insurance covers most vaccines for free.
What is the difference between High Dose (65+) and regular flu shot 2023–24 vaccine?
The High Dose Flu shot is recommended for 65 and older; it has four times more antigen than the regular
flu
shot. Both regular and High Dose are quadrivalent.
Can I mix and match between Pfizer and Moderna?
It’s OK to mix and match as long as you’re eligible for the vaccine you prefer. All of the data that
previously
showed there were no big differences between those who mixed and matched and those who didn’t still
applies.
What is the difference between the NEW COVID-19 vaccines and the previous bivalent?
The new monovalents target BA.2.86 while the bivalents targeted Omicron subvariants (BA.5 and BA.4).
The BA.2.86 variant is now more prevalent.
I received my COVID-19 vaccines from a different vaccinator. Can I sign up for the New COVID-19 vaccine
with The Medicine Shoppe of Shillington?
Yes, you may sign up for a 2nd dose or booster shot at our pharmacy even if you have not received any
previous dose from us.
What does RSV stand for and what is RSV?
RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild,
cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious. Each season, RSV
causes
substantial morbidity and mortality in older adults, including lower respiratory tract disease,
hospitalization, and death. There are an estimated 60,000–160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000–10,000
deaths
annually due to RSV among adults ages 65 years and older.
What vaccines are approved for prevention of RSV, and is there a difference between them?
There are two RSV vaccines approved for adults ages 50 years and older – RSVPreF3 (Arexvy, GSK) and
RSVpreF
(Abrysvo, Pfizer). Both vaccines are recombinant protein vaccines that cause the immune system to
produce
RSV antibodies. Both are currently approved as a single dose and were shown in clinical trials to
protect
against symptomatic lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in adults ages 60 and older, with more
than
80% efficacy in the first RSV season after vaccination. GSK’s vaccine includes an adjuvant (the same one
used
in Shingrix) to boost the immune response, while Pfizer’s does not. CDC does not have a preferential
recommendation for either vaccine — patients may receive whichever is available.
What does it mean to use a shared clinical decision-making (SCDM) recommendation for RSV vaccine?
CDC recommends that older adults ages 60 years and older may receive a single dose of RSV vaccine using
SCDM.
A SCDM recommendation differs from routine age-based or risk-based recommendations where everyone in a
group
is automatically vaccinated. Instead, it is based on individual health characteristics and discussions
between
the patient and their healthcare provider. Ask one of our pharmacists for a recommendation based on your
individual needs.
What is the best time of year to give RSV vaccine?
Optimally, vaccination should occur before the onset of the fall and winter RSV season. However, typical
RSV
seasonality was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and has not fully returned to pre-pandemic patterns.
For the 2023–24 RSV season, providers recommending RSV vaccine based on SCDM should administer it as
early as
vaccine supply becomes available.
Can RSV vaccine be given with other adult vaccines?
Administration of RSV vaccine on the same day with other adult vaccines is acceptable. However,
according to
studies of RSV and influenza vaccines, side effects such as fever and soreness may be more common when
given
together. Some studies also suggest that immune response could be slightly reduced when RSV and flu
vaccines
are administered on the same day, though the clinical significance of this is unknown. Research is
ongoing.