COVID-19 Vaccines and Precautions: Updates and Urgency

Colorado residents will soon have access to an updated COVID-19 vaccine, potentially as early as Thursday, to provide added protection against the virus. The updated vaccine targets the XBB.1.5 strain of the omicron variant and is expected to protect against its descendant lineages, including the EG.5.1 and FL1.5.1 strains, as well as the highly-mutated BA.2.86 strain. The CDC and Colorado health officials recommend anyone 6 months and older to get the updated vaccine, regardless of previous vaccination status. The vaccine will be available through healthcare providers, pharmacies, and government-run programs. Preliminary studies suggest the vaccine is effective against the newer variants, but additional precautions such as wearing masks and practicing proper hygiene are still advised.