PSA: Updated COVID vaccine boosters approved by FDA, now being shipped, available RSN

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.