New COVID vaccines and tests are coming amid summer surge

New COVID-19 vaccines have been approved , and more free COVID tests will be available soon, just in time for kids returning to school.

Why it matters: Much of the country, including Illinois, was hit by a COVID spike this summer.

• The CDC currently lists Illinois as a state where COVID cases are growing.

By the numbers: For the week of Aug. 23, the portion of Chicago emergency room visits driven by COVID rose from 1.8% to 2.1% over the prior week and in children under five it increased from 5% to 6%.

• Yes, but: Test positivity for COVID decreased from 15.2% to 13.1%.

What they're saying: Chicago Department of Public Health officials recommend that everyone over 6 months old should get the latest COVID vaccine and the annual flu shot.

• The new vaccine targets the KP.2 variant that has dominated cases nationwide this summer. KP strains account for about 70% of U.S. cases currently.

Between the lines: Health officials say there are a few reasons why you might want to wait to get the vaccine.

• If you have recently had COVID, your antibodies will remain strong for a few months and you can wait up to three months after your infection to get vaccinated.
• If you are low-risk and want to wait a few weeks to make sure the vaccine protection will be strongest during the peak of winter respiratory virus and flu season you could get COVID and flu vaccines in September or October.

Where to go: COVID-19 and flu vaccines are available to everyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status. You can find CDPH immunization clinics here .

What's next: Updated vaccine supplies should be arriving at local pharmacies and doctors offices in coming weeks.

• Biden administration officials say free tests should be available for order again by the end of September.

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