Booster shots

Health experts are encouraging people to get the booster to help prevent another holiday surge, but many people have not answered the call.

Recent research suggests that the virus is mutating to better dodge immune defenses. KHN examines what public health officials believe is on the horizon and how best to fight the disease.

Biden's comments — made as officials try to convince Americans to get a new booster shot and the White House seeks $22 billion in new COVID funding — were "unfortunate," several epidemiologists said.

The Biden administration is scrapping plans to offer COVID boosters for people under 50 this summer. Instead officials will push for an earlier release of the next generation boosters in the fall.

In Florida, only half of fully vaccinated nursing home residents have gotten the booster for COVID. When you add unvaccinated residents into the mix, just 41% are boosted.

People can safely get booster shots as soon as they recover from breakthrough infections, but some experts suggest waiting a little longer.