Dear Neighbor,

As you may have heard, the 2023-2024 updated COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and you can now schedule an appointment to get vaccinated. This is good news, especially since we are currently experiencing a new COVID-19 wave and the colder months are approaching when we will be spending more time in public indoor settings.

I am also pleased to share that my office will be distributing free COVID-19 at-home rapid tests and high-quality masks on Friday, September 22nd from 1 - 4 pm. Additional details are provided below.

If you are unsure about the need to get the updated COVID-19 vaccination, the following are reasons why it is important to do so:

• New variants of the Coronavirus continue to develop and circulate. The updated vaccines target the XBB.1.5 variant and have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing severe health outcomes from XBB.1.5 and the closely related strains that are currently circulating;

• Staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations helps to prevent developing Long-COVID;

• People who are unvaccinated against COVID-19, or who have not stayed up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations may have minimal protection against developing severe health outcomes and Long-COVID;

• Even if you received the 2022-2023 updated Coronavirus vaccination, protection against hospitalization and death, and of developing Long-COVID is waning;

• Older adults, people who are immunocompromised, and pregnant people continue to be particularly vulnerable to experiencing severe health outcomes. By staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations, we help to protect more vulnerable New Yorkers;

• Even though the Public Health Emergency expired, we will continue to experience new COVID-19 waves for an unknown period of time. By getting the updated vaccinations, we help to manage community transmission and the duration of each wave, as well as help to fight against future waves; and



• By staying up-to-date with Coronavirus vaccinations, we help to protect our loved ones, friends, and community members.

Stay safe and healthy. As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please email or call my office at [email protected] or 212-490-9535.

Best,

Liz Krueger

State Senator

Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Are Now Available

Updated 2023-2024 Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccines Approved

I am very pleased to share that the 2023-2024 updated Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations have been approved by the FDA and the CDC. The updated Novavax vaccine is pending approval.

• Individuals age 5+ are approved to receive one dose of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination if at least 2 months have passed since their last COVID-19 vaccination. Certain individuals may be approved to receive additional doses, if they are immunocompromised for example, and should consult their physician.

• The recommended dosage for children age 6 months to 4 years old is based on the vaccine and the child's age. For more specific information, please visit the CDC Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines web page.

The following is what you need to know in order to get the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccination:

Cost of the COVID-19 vaccination: If you have commercial health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, you should be able to get the vaccination without any out-of-pocket cost as long as you receive the vaccination from an in-network provider. If you do not have insurance, you can get the vaccination at no cost through the Bridge Access Program.

Where to get a COVID-19 vaccination appointment: You are able to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine at participating pharmacies, doctors offices, and health facilities. Please visit the following websites to locate vaccine sites and to schedule an appointment:

• NYC Vaccine Finder: Use this online resource to search for different types of vaccine sites in New York City that are administering the updated COVID-19 vaccine and for information on how to schedule an appointment. If you do not have health insurance, you are also able to search for no-cost vaccine sites. Please note: at the time of writing this email, NYC Vaccine Finder is being updated and the search function is not yet available. Please check the website for updates. You can also call 212-268-4319 for assistance with locating a vaccine site.

• Vaccines.gov: Use this online resource to search for vaccine sites in New York City, including sites that are participating in the Bridge Access Program, to get a free vaccination if you do not have health insurance. Please note: at the time of writing this email, this online directory is in the process of being updated with vaccine sites. Please check the website for updates. You can also call 1-800-232-0233 for assistance with locating a vaccine site.

• Schedule an appointment at CVS: You can schedule a vaccination appointment at participating CVS branches from this website, or by calling 800-746-7287 for assistance.

• Schedule an appointment at Rite Aid: Visit this Rite Aid web page to schedule a vaccination appointment at participating Rite Aid locations, or you can call 800-748-3243 for assistance.

• Schedule an appointment at Walgreens: You can schedule a vaccination appointment at participating Walgreen pharmacies by visiting this website or by calling 800-925-4733 for assistance.

When to get vaccinated: People who are at greatest risk for severe health outcomes should get the updated COVID-19 vaccination right away, as long as at least 2 months have passed since their last dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. However, if you recently contracted the Coronavirus, it makes sense to wait at least 3 months before getting the vaccination.

It is also important to think about when to get the COVID-19 vaccination in relationship to when you plan to get the flu and the recently approved respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. Health experts say that it is fine to get the COVID-19 and the flu vaccinations at the same time. Because the RSV vaccine is new, it is better to get the RSV vaccination at least a couple of weeks before or after the COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

If you have questions or concerns about when to get the COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccinations in the coming weeks, please consult with your health care provider. The following resources also include helpful factors to consider regarding the timing of getting these vaccinations:

• The new COVID boosters are coming: Here's what you need to know (NPR)

• Three Shots for Fall: What You Need to Know (NY Times)

• Considerations for your fall COVID-19 vaccine (Dr. Katelyn Jetelina)

Finally, I also want to share some information about the RSV vaccine. The recent approval of the vaccine is important because RSV can cause a range of mild-to-severe symptoms in children and adults. This is the first vaccine that has been approved to provide protection against RSV, which is especially critical for older adults and children.

It is important to know that health insurance coverage of the RSV vaccine is not required for all individuals. At this time, the CDC has recommended the RSV vaccine for adults age 60+ and infants. Medicare covers the RSV vaccine through Part D. Commercial insurance may cover the vaccine without co-pays for individuals age 60-64, due to the wording of the recommendation. My office has been informed that Medicaid does cover the RSV vaccine for infants and adults age 60+, in alignment with CDC recommendations. It is a good idea to confirm coverage of the RSV vaccine before scheduling a vaccination appointment. The following resources provide additional information:

• Some Older Adults Are Being Charged Over $300 for the New R.S.V. Vaccine (NY Times)

• Timing and Cost of New Vaccines Vary by Virus and Health Insurance Status (KFF Health News)

I urge you to get the vaccinations that are recommended for you and/or your children as soon as possible in order to protect your health and the health of your loved ones, friends, and community members!

Free COVID-19 Rapid At-Home Test Kit and Mask Distribution at My District Office

Friday, September 22nd, 1 pm – 4 pm

Since we are currently experiencing a COVID-19 wave, it is a good idea to have some extra rapid at-home test kits and masks at home.

We will be handing out free tests and high-quality masks (up to 5 of each per person as long as supplies last) from 1 - 4 pm on Friday, September 22nd at my district office, which is located at 211 E. 43rd Street, Suite #2000 (20th Floor) in Manhattan. The building is situated between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.

Since September 22nd falls during U.N. Week, please keep in mind that automobile traffic will be extremely congested and pedestrian traffic may be re-routed. When you enter the building off of 43rd Street, you will be required to sign in at the reception desk. Please make sure to bring ID with you.

Once you have signed in, please proceed to the bank of elevators and take one of the elevators on the left side to the 20th Floor. Turn right once you exit the elevator and my office is straight ahead.

If you are unable to come by my office on September 22nd, we will hold additional in-person test and mask distribution events in the near future, the dates of which are to be determined.