PSA: Updated COVID vaccine approved by FDA, available NOW (depending on where you live)

Thank you for posting this information, David. Watching the recorded evening news just now, I saw this reported as well. The timing is ideal for your upcoming trip. We’re heading for Italy in two months, but no need to wait too long for updated shots.

Just curious, will you be updating a Covid vaccination card with your latest shot, or did you stop that when your first card got filled up? Any chance you still carry the vaccination card(s) with you when traveling abroad?

Wishing you, and everyone, healthy and safe travels.

Thanks, Cyn.

Yes, the timing for this and our upcoming trip is just about perfect. It seems these days we depart on a trip to southern Europe in the first couple weeks of September (have done so the past few years) so this has become a routine end-of-summer task for us.

Last time I got the booster (almost exactly one year ago) I asked if they were still giving out or updating the paper COVID vaccine cards. The pharmacist chuckled and just said, "No, we're done with those." They just send an update to our state vaccine registry (which is surprisingly comprehensive, up to date and readily accessible online). I do still have three of those cards, I just keep a photo of them on my phone; the physical cards stay at home because I'm pretty sure the chances of me "needing" to prove my vaccination status on a trip to Europe are effectively zero. The jab is for me, not for officials.

Happy, healthy, safe and fun travels to you as well.

https://www.kqed.org/news/12053906/covid-vaccines-booster-2025-fda-cdc-who-can-get-updated-vaccine-novavax-pfizer-moderna-where-find

According to the article above the CDC vaccine panel still needs to act and they haven’t even been scheduled to meet yet. I do hope the vaccines are available soon,

I just scheduled mine for September 4th at CVS which is exactly two weeks before I leave for Paris! Btw, this is not a booster--it is an updated formula for the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season to target the JN.1 lineage of the omicron variant, preferentially using the LP.8.1 strain. Updating the vaccine means it will more closely match the variants of the coronavirus currently circulating and causing infections. Last year’s COVID vaccine was updated to target the KP.2 strain (also from the JN.1 lineage), which is no longer in circulation in the U.S. (from AARP).

Rats
I'm traveling in about 3 weeks and got the current version Monday after I gave up on the new version being available in time.

LIZ, since this new vaccine is different from the one you just received, maybe you can still get it. Check with your doctor/pharmacy?

Hope you are right on release! We have an appointment Sept 4 in advance of 9/13 departure so timing might be right. We always get flu and Covid vaxx before the annual Fall trip.

Safe and healthy travels, everyone!

Thanks for this update. In 2023 the new shot for that year was not out yet. I went ahead and got another shot of the old version anyway. Since the new variant was really strong in Europe I had covid by the end of the tour. Thanks to my recent shot though (I think) my case was very mild, more like a cold, and I didn't have to fly home early. I just rested alot, masked, tried to stay away from folks and had lots of ice cream on the outmost row of outdoor cafes. The ice cream felt wonderful.

Just a note for those that may not read the link with the details, the current approval is for 65+ older folks and other adults with certain medical conditions. While many in the forum may qualify, some of us do not :)

My husband and I are also scheduled for the updated COVID vaccine on September 4th at CVS which is exactly three weeks before we leave for Switzerland, Spain & Paris! I'm so glad (provided this actually comes true!).

Do any of you get the flu shot this time of year? The providers are really pushing it so early. Our doctor always recommends that we get that later because immunity wanes just as the flu season might still be raging. It's always worked out better if we aim for first week of November.

Silas Marner, I always just get both at the same time and it's never been a problem, but then winter can come early in MN.

Laurie Beth, that would certainly make sense. We are definitely on a different schedule in Detroit. Winters have really become so much milder and I only used our snowblower 5 times last season.

Thanks, David that's great news. We have to fly to a wedding in Northern California in early October. It's going to be a big one - 200, I think, which is unusual these days. My husband is 65 and immune compromised so he can get the updated shot. I don't turn 65 until November, but hopefully I can get it before we head to Massachusetts for Thanksgiving.

Thanks, David as well as the posters who gave extra information. I do get my flu vax at the same time and hopefully will be able to get them before I travel the end of Sept.

I see my local Walgreens is not currently giving appointments so will watch the website to see when they become available.

The New York Times reported that until the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices approves the updated vaccine CVS will not offer it in 16 states and Washington, DC. In those states local law requires Advisory Committee approval before a vaccine may be administered. The 16 states are: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

The article is gifted here: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/well/cvs-pharmacy-covid-vaccine-16-states.html?unlocked_article_code=1.h08.-NBZ.f7Xz5hvA2_nV&smid=url-share

Thank you for this post David, and also to those that have contributed additional information. I find this forum a great resource for getting information regarding the timing of vaccines before traveling. Obviously I don't want to get sick at all, but especially so on an overseas vacation.

An update:

• I got my updated COVID jab today (Thursday) at CVS. No muss, no fuss, no drama.
• Later in the day, I happened to be in Costco, I stopped by the pharmacy expecting to find a line of people there getting shots. There were a handful sitting after their jabs. I asked pharmacy staff to confirm if they had received their updated COVID shots and she said no, to my surprise. I shared that I had just been jabbed down the street at CVS a couple hours before. She shrugged and mumbled something about lack of approval.
• I am in Washington state. Today, state public health officials here announced they were giving a broad, open-ended statewide order that provided authorization for any health care professional to administer COVID shots to anyone who wanted one (older than...I forget, but it was young).
• Around the same time I heard on the news that groups of states were getting together to set up their own public health systems to fill the gap left by the national CDC. California, Oregon and Washington announced a "west coast partnership" to do this. A few hours later, Hawaii joined. I later heard that similar state-groups in the northeast were forming similar efforts.
• Availability of vaccines and ease of access is going to vary state-by-state. I suspect that those states making it easy to get vaccines will probably make it equally easy for non-residents to do the same - at this point, that's just my speculation, but these states typically take a similarly-broad view of providing reproductive health care for visitors, so if you live in a state where vaccines are unavailable, and you want one, a short visit to another state might be what you need. Just a thought.

My shoulder is a bit sore but I'm happy to have my immune response start cranking back up in advance of my trip to Italy in about 2 weeks.

Wishing you good health on your happy travels.

An update: I got my updated COVID jab today (Thursday) at CVS. No muss, no fuss, no drama.

My husband and I got our updated COVID vaccine at CVS in metro Detroit - the very first available appointment on Sept. 4!

There were no issues and it was handled very nicely - we were given $10 coupons and bags of healthy popcorn. 13 hours later and I have no adverse reactions and my shoulder doesn't hurt at all.

What a relief as we will be leaving in 3 weeks for Switzerland, Spain and Paris.....

I do feel bad for my cousins in another state who are facing a different situation.

I received my Moderna covid and my flu jabs @ 20 hours ago in NJ. No flu-like symptoms, just injection-site soreness but not much. The "jabber" told me that on the first day, September 2nd, he had administered 93 covid jabs. The waiting area at CVS was full at my site. We're leaving for Paris in 11 days. I'll also be wearing my N95 in the airport and on the plane. Happy, healthy travels to all!

Also in Washington state at the moment. Got my jab yesterday. There were a few 'hoops' to get it as I am not 65 (the new "guideline" age.) Happy we will have an additional layer of protection for our journey back to France.

Kimberly, what hoops did you have to hop? I’m 2 months shy of 65 but traveling soon.

By the way, my local Safeway has the updated shot.

Trotter: my kind Safeway pharmacist had to come speak with me to verify my age or if I was at "high risk". Normally, I just check in, wait a bit, then get the jab. Was a new step to have to chat with the pharmacist.

Not in North Carolina, I am 75, so should not be any issue .
All the Walgreens and CVS in the state have been blocked when they try to access for the new Covid vaccine

I live in Massachusetts and our governor and her administration made the necessary changes so that (despite the current CDC restrictions re COVID vax) MA residents can get the COVID vaccine starting today. And the insurance companies are required to cover the cost. Very pleased! Made my appointment already.

Thanks for the info Kimberly!

Gov. Kathy Hochul just signed an executive order for almost anyone in the state of NY to get it, free. My d-i-l just tried to sign up, but CVS and Walgreens are lagging, however, good news for her and my grandchildren.

I am signed up go get the flu and Covid vaccines as soon as I get home from Pennsylvania and about 3 days before I leave for Romania. Not ideal, but better than nothing. It's available here as of yesterday but since I'm out of town, I can't get it till I return.

I hope everyone who wants to get it can, but it's not looking good for some states.

I got mine about two hours ago at my neighborhood Walgreens in Tennessee. The pharmacist said they had the updated vaccine since August 31, but insurance was denying coverage until yesterday. She said I was the 20th one she had given today.

Getting mine today. No 'script or reason needed in WA state -- made an appointment at Walgreen's and I was good to go.

-- Mike Beebe

I'm in MO and under 65. I'm scheduled with CVS to get it next week. I had to self-attest to a high-risk condition (which, currently, is defined very broadly) when scheduling online, since I'm under 65. That's the CVS process here; Walgreens is not offering it at all here. I'm anticipating that after the CDC panel meets (I believe on 9/19) that there will be additional restrictions placed, which is why I'm getting it now instead of waiting until October and getting it with my flu shot, like I usually do.

OR has not released protocols so no jab today despite Walgreens letting me make an appointment. Grrrrrr. Hoping for next week….we fly on the 13th.

Laurel - Maybe try a CVS in Vancouver WA?

Reporting from Idaho…I’d had a Walgreens tab up on my laptop for the last week and today was able to make an appointment. My brother also got a general text from our closest Safeway that they had it in. I set things up for Monday because I didn’t want to take a weekend appointment slot from someone who might be working during the week.

Here in the SFBay Area my CVS online is offering the new Covid vaccine. My wife and I signed up for the 18th which is 2 weeks before we depart for a 7 week trip to Europe.

We could have gotten it any day this week but we wanted to have maximum protection for our long trip. The sign up was easy. I hope access in other states where people are having difficulty becomes easier.

I'm cheering everyone on for their fortitude!

I set things up for Monday because I didn’t want to take a weekend appointment slot from someone who might be working during the week.

Pam, this is incredibly thoughtful and kind. <3

Got the shots at CVS today.

Ended up walking through the 75% off aisle and have a 2 foot long receipt of 'bargains'.

Here in Nevada they made the vaccine available on Sept. 5. It is available at CVS but not Walgreens here (at least not yet). Some people are just walking in to CVS and getting their shot. We have an appointment at CVS for this Tuesday which is just two weeks before our monthlong trip to Morocco. Phew!

I have an appointment this week for covid, flu and pneumonia shots. I head to my dad's in a couple weeks so am glad I am doing this now.