"Fall Vaccines: Protecting Against COVID, Flu, and RSV"

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be approved within days, just in time for the flu season. These updated shots target the omicron descendant XBB.1.5 and are expected to offer crossover protection against other coronavirus variants. In addition to COVID-19 vaccines, vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are also rolling out for older adults and pregnant women. Health officials are optimistic about the effectiveness of the updated shots, but emphasize the importance of booster shots and yearly flu vaccinations. RSV, a common cause of pneumonia in seniors and a serious illness for young children, is also being addressed with vaccines and lab-made antibodies.