FDA Approves COVID-19 Boosters Amid Rise Of New Strains: Report

WASHINGTON — Updated COVID-19 boosters were approved Monday by the Food and Drug Administration as new virus strands arise in the U.S., the Associated Press reported.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must now approve the new boosters, the media outlet reported.

"COVID-19 hospitalizations have been rising since late summer although –- thanks to some lasting immunity from prior vaccinations and infections –- not nearly as much as this time last year," the Associated Press reported.

" ... Just like earlier vaccinations, the fall round is cleared for adults and children as young as age 6 months. FDA said starting at age 5, most people can get a single dose even if they've never had a prior COVID-19 shot. Younger children might need additional doses depending on their history of COVID-19 infections and vaccinations."

The Georgia Department of Public Health reported Wednesday there were more than 2.3 million confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide with 35,606 related deaths.

COVID-19 hospitalizations nationwide increased almost 16 percent in the week ending Aug. 26, according to the latest data from the CDC. Deaths were up by almost 18 percent.

During the same period in Georgia, there were 772 new virus-related hospitalizations - a 23.7 percent change in hospital admissions from the prior week.

The CDC reported there have been 7.27 per 100,000 new virus-related hospitalizations in the past week. Since August 2020, more than 238,000 Georgians have been hospitalized with COVID-19, the CDC reported.

For the first time, the government won’t pay for the booster, as it has for others since vaccines became available in 2021. Modern and Pfizer have said they plan to offer the shots for about $110 to $130.

It’s not clear what groups will be encouraged to get the booster, but the CDC recommends that everyone get an updated vaccine in addition to their 2021 shots, and that people age 65 and older get a second booster.

About 97 percent of Americans have some level of vaccine protection, though health experts warn immunity fades over time. In Georgia, 11.4 percent of residents are vaccinated against the virus - totaling 1,207,172 people.

The trend toward more hospitalizations and deaths began this summer and is expected to continue into the fall and winter months as people spend more time indoors.

The Associated Press contributed reporting and writing.