FDA approves new COVID-19 vaccine amidst Central Valley’s vaccination rate decline

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – The Food and Drug Administration approved two updated COVID-19 vaccines – Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA, benefiting people affected by the current variant.

Experts say these new vaccines are now effective against variants that are currently involved with the uptick in COVID-19 cases.

“With every variant, they get a little bit different from the prior and that makes the vaccine a little less efficacious or protective against you from getting sick or getting hospitalized. So, it still showed efficacy, but it was starting to get a little lower. So, you want to stay on top of it,” Dr. Kenny Banh, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UC San Francisco of Fresno said.

Banh says since the 2020 surge, COVID-19 has progressed and changed over time.

Up until Aug. 22, people were given last year’s updated vaccine, which is now considered less effective.

Banh says the vaccination rate has been in decline in the Central Valley and across the state.

“Across the state, we’re only sitting about a 15% vaccination rate. And in Fresno County, we’re only sitting at half of that at like seven, 7% amongst eligible adults for vaccines,” Dr. Banh said.

Staying on top of the new variants will prevent a winter surge, according to experts.

Banh recommends people shouldn’t wait to get the new vaccine once it becomes available in the fall.

“You’re at a family gathering, when you’re in the middle of the holidays and then the surge is happening, ‘Wow we get a big uptick because everyone else is testing positive. And then they’re like, oh my goodness, now I want a response, get some protection,” Banh said.

He says when you get the updated vaccine, it will take a few weeks to build that immune response, and getting vaccinated sooner rather than later will help prevent illnesses.

“You’re really kind of protecting yourself, but also protecting others, which may be at higher risk. And those are your loved ones, your friends, your family, and everyone else around you,” Banh said.

Banh says the new vaccines are initially approved for adults and expects pediatric doses to be approved soon.

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