New vaccine approved amid seasonal COVID-19 surge

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Food and Drug Administration approved an updated COVID-19 booster shot Thursday afternoon as a now-seasonal surge of cases arrives a few weeks earlier than expected.

Cases in 2024 have largely mirrored trends from 2023 but with fewer cases reported. July and August are the first months to buck the trend.

Michigan reported a few hundred more cases in the last seven days of data than the same period the previous month, continuing a trend that began in May.

News 8 spoke with an infectious disease expert with Corewell Health, who said that cases are up fourfold since May but the overall burden remains low.

Alongside those increased case numbers is a slight bump in emergency room and urgent care visitors diagnosed with COVID-19.

“Today, we have about 31 patients currently admitted,” Dr. Russell Lampen told News 8. “Which is well below our peak of more than 400 during the pandemic.”

The summer and fall surge is also reflected nationwide, prompting federal healthcare agencies and vaccine manufacturers to get this year’s booster approved and shipped a few weeks earlier than last year.

This year’s booster is the third tweaked vaccine formula in as many years, now mirroring the distribution schedule of annual influenza vaccines.

“What we are starting to see is COVID is starting to settle into a seasonal pattern, much like influenza or RSV,” Lampen added. “Every year, we take a look at the circulating influenza strains, and the new vaccine targets the most widely spreading strains. Now, we’re seeing the same done with COVID vaccinations.”

Lampden told News 8 the new vaccine is expected to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 by between 60 and 70%, and it will reduce the risk of severe infection by between 80 and 90%. It’s highly recommended for groups that are susceptible to the virus like the immunocompromised population, seniors and those with preexisting conditions.

The new vaccine formula is expected to be widely available in the next few weeks.

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